A $23 million ceiling painting was unveiled at the United Nations today, the Associated Press reports. Spanish abstract artist Miquel Barcelo created the work, a 16,000-square-foot painting with hundreds of dangling aluminum icicle shapes. Barcelo used more than 100 tons of paint containing pigments from all over the world and, working with architects, engineers, and particle physics laboratories, developed an extra strength aluminum for the piece.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry said that the Spanish government is funding 40 percentof the project, while the rest came from private donors. Still, the cost of the painting drew criticism from some, such as Spain's conservative opposition Popular Party, who felt the money could have been better spent on humanitarian projects. However, the ministry insists the fundingfor Barcelo's work was separate from money meant for aid and relief programs.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, "The artwork you have created for this room is innovative and radiant. I have no doubt that people will come to see it whether they have business here or not."