Human Rights and the Cyrus Cylinder

The artwork Ralf Sander has developed was influenced by the 2500 years old first written human rights bill. It changes its shape and appearance permanently like the idea of human rights. It is the result of a number of rigorous research and experiments in sculptural transformation. The idea was shortlisted for a major public urban art piece in Los Angeles, California, USA. Sanders proposal is based on in depth studies of the history of human rights. Written in Babylonian script, the Cyrus Cylinder has become the most influential and celebrated declaration of religious freedom and political multiculturalism from the ancient world. The Farhang Foundation became interested in this concept for a proposal in the public sector, to commemorate the concepts of religious diversity and freedom as human rights as inspired by the ideals of Cyrus the Great but another object was realized.