LOVE HATE installed in Farragut Square in the heart of Washington DC
“We have to turn the hate on this planet into love for this planet.
If you can learn how to hate you can learn how to love. And I hope that this amazing sculpture by Mia will help us all learn how to love.”
On November 9th 2021, the LOVE HATE sculptures made their first transatlantic appearance in the USA, in the political heart of America, Washington DC.
The event which took place in Farragut Square in association with the EU Delegation to the US, the German Embassy, and The Golden Triangle DC, was held on a historic day: The Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Hundreds came to the public park in DC’s Downtown district, a stones throw from The White House and Black Lives Matter Plaza, to witness the unveiling of the sculptural duo that has made the long journey from Europe to the US to stand as a symbol of peaceful EU - US relations. Guest speakers lent their voices to the occasion in a series of inspiring speeches, including EU Ambassador to the US Stavros Lambrinidis, German Ambassador to the US Emily Haber, Chair of the Golden Triangle Business District Leona Agouridis, Kimberly Marteau Emerson, Sawsan Chebli, and the artist Mia Florentine Weiss.
The speeches were accompanied by Happenings in which the audience participated in the event by engaging with one another through a series of prompts, gaining various insights on the concept of “a change of perspective”. This, alongside the interviews, was led by moderator and Social Sculptor Philippa Hughes.
“This sculpture - I think it’s magical. It’s beautiful. My idea is this sculpture, LOVE HATE, belongs on the aisle in the House of Representatives between the Republicans and the Democrats. It’s so symbolic of how much more effective the United States could be if we didn’t have so much hate.”
all photography by Peter Lueders
Press Release Before the Event
The sculptural ambigram LOVE HATE is focused on overcoming borders with art. Following the successful LOVE HATE Europe Tour which spanned over a decade, the artwork was officially invited by the EU Delegation to the US and the German Embassy in Washington DC to bring LOVE HATE to the United States of America. In November 2021 LOVE HATE will make its very first transatlantic alliance between Europe and the USA and will be installed in Farragut Square in Washington DC, which is part of The Golden Triangle located between The White House and Black Lives Matter Plaza.
In March 2022, they will travel to Austin, Texas to be displayed at the infamous SXSW: South by Southwest Festival representing Europe. From there, LOVE HATE will begin its unique, heart-shaped route across the USA, making appearances at various German Consulates and celebrating the 55th Anniversary of the Summer of LOVE 1967. This anniversary coincidentally mirrors the 55th anniversary of Berlin & LA as twin-cities - The perfect symbol to promote positive US-EU relations.
In September 2022, LOVE HATE will be exhibited at The Nantucket Project festival in Massachusetts. Artist Mia Florentine Weiss has been chosen by the Administrative Order/EU@The Nantucket Project as the EU Representative, and will be travelling to Nantucket with a double installation of her LOVE HATE sculptures for the event as a guest speaker. The sculptures will be inaugurated by TNP ’22 guest of honour, Michelle Obama.
Mia Florentine Weiss created the sculptural duo, her “one-word poem” a decade ago, and it has been her mission to harness the power of these two simple words to unite us as humans through our diversities. Weiss, whose personal manifesto is to prove that art and culture is system-relevant, has strived tirelessly to promote their message of peace and acceptance, and has employed art as a bridge-maker, a tool that can unify and heal. During these trying and strange times, this is something Weiss has fought for, and her dream is to spread LOVE across the world to as many people as possible.
The sculptures are the perfect platform for intercultural exchange and offer various possibilities of exposure such as; talks, speeches, performances, music, workshops, debates, think-tanks - every location they have been in has inspired some sort of social dialogue and cultural exchange. In addition, they have presented countless press opportunities as well as photographic and social media opportunities.
Google Arts & Culture has already featured LOVE HATE as a global art phenomenon which can be experienced here.