As in May 2017 Kyiv hosted Eurovision Song Contest with “Celebrate diversity” motto, and thousands of guests arrived to Kyiv, we transformed the key message to honour the creativity, freedom and differences of Ukraine.

We redecorated the 35 meters high Soviet era landmark into the largest man-made color rainbow ever praising the multiple ideas of diversity.

The construction work started on April 17th, 2017 and lasted 3 days while the deconstruction was on May 15th-16th, 2017. In total, the Arch of Diversity project lasted 30 days. Supported by Kyiv City State Administration, the Arch of Diversity quickly received mixed opinions within social media communities. It took exactly one day for the Arch of Diversity to become a trending topic within the social and cultural discussions in Ukraine.

The work was half-done when religious activists and members of right-wing parties organized angry protests to cancel the construction. Despite the conflict, we managed to save the rainbow and meaningfully left the segment in the middle of Arch in metal.

We used Oracal 641 PVC film to decorate the 35 metres heigh monument.

• More that 20 000 mentions in Google

• The idea of diversity within the project found its extension in the diversity of comments regarding the art installation.

• Attitudes included praise, anger, tolerance, support and negativity

• The Arch ensured its positions as a well-known symbol of Kyiv

• Online users still choose the Arch of Diversity name while posting their photos from the People`s Friendship Arch