U.N. shows off pricey painting

A $23-million ceiling painting featuring hundreds of dangling icicle shapes that has been criticized for its hefty price tag was unveiled Tuesday at the United Nations.

The 16,000-square-foot elliptical dome full of bright colors and torn aluminum took over a year to produce.

Spanish abstract artist Miquel Barcelo used more than 100 tons of paint with pigments from all over the world and worked with architects, engineers and even particle physics laboratories to develop the extra-strength aluminum for the dome.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry says the government is funding 40% of the costs, with the rest footed by private-sector donors. Of the public money, $633,000 comes from a budget for overseas development aid and international organizations like the United Nations.