The International Free Expression Project began in 2015 when Greg Victor, an editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, was walking through the newspaper’s old pressroom along lines of massive presses, which soon were to be scrapped as part of the property’s redevelopment. These were among the oldest metropolitan newspaper presses in the world. He saw them as stunningly beautiful manifestations of 20th-century industrial art, with thousands of shining silver rollers, star-shaped knobs, gleaming gears and other compelling objects.
The initial idea was to save as many presses as possible for reconstruction and to distribute parts to artists for reimagining. Given the increasingly dire threats to free expression accumulating around the world at the time — from extremists, governments and populist movements — the next idea was to build the world’s first iconic work of public art dedicated to a free press and free expression. It would incorporate parts of these historic presses, whose ancestors were among the original newspaper publishers of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The project and the Pittsburgh community would sponsor an international competition to design this powerful symbol so as to draw worldwide attention to the importance of free expression. It would rise on a world-class site at Pittsburgh's front door where three rivers coverge.
The director of the Pittsburgh Office of Public Art, curators of the Andy Warhol Museum, the mayor of Pittsburgh and many other local leaders came on board. Over the past few years, many dozens of individuals and institutions from the local, national and international level have lent their support.
From these beginnings, IFEP has progressed rapidly. It incorporated as an independent nonprofit organization in 2019 and was granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in 2020. With the generous support of organizers, funders, advocates and advisers, it has evolved into the four-part project it is today.
The International Free Expression Project is dedicated to building public support around the world to protect your right to be who you are and say what you want in the manner you choose. Please lend a hand. Please click the 'Get Involved' button below. Thank you.
The initial idea was to save as many presses as possible for reconstruction and to distribute parts to artists for reimagining. Given the increasingly dire threats to free expression accumulating around the world at the time — from extremists, governments and populist movements — the next idea was to build the world’s first iconic work of public art dedicated to a free press and free expression. It would incorporate parts of these historic presses, whose ancestors were among the original newspaper publishers of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The project and the Pittsburgh community would sponsor an international competition to design this powerful symbol so as to draw worldwide attention to the importance of free expression. It would rise on a world-class site at Pittsburgh's front door where three rivers coverge.
The director of the Pittsburgh Office of Public Art, curators of the Andy Warhol Museum, the mayor of Pittsburgh and many other local leaders came on board. Over the past few years, many dozens of individuals and institutions from the local, national and international level have lent their support.
From these beginnings, IFEP has progressed rapidly. It incorporated as an independent nonprofit organization in 2019 and was granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in 2020. With the generous support of organizers, funders, advocates and advisers, it has evolved into the four-part project it is today.
The International Free Expression Project is dedicated to building public support around the world to protect your right to be who you are and say what you want in the manner you choose. Please lend a hand. Please click the 'Get Involved' button below. Thank you.
