Whole
Closed competition for a new artwork for the New National Hospital of Iceland.
Competition made in collaboration with SÍM and NSLH.
Whole is a work that was designed for the upper part of Sóleyjartorg, in front of the future cafeteria. It was my second proposal for the New National Hospital of Iceland, but was not picked by the jury in this competition.
The work Whole is an interactive installation in a public space and a participatory work consisting of a glass sculpture with color-shifting film and concrete benches in a circular square with a concrete spirograph pattern.
It is a place where the public can pause for privacy or play. The color-shifting film inside the glass makes the work constantly changing and shows the city landscape in different light depending on the time of day and season. It can give the environment a colorful touch and the shadow cast by the work follows the cycle of the sun every day.
The essence of the work is the person and their relationship with their environment, themselves and others. Many different groups come to Sóleyjartorg and it is important that everyone can feel a connection to the work. Visitors and pedestrians activate the work of art with their presence, and in turn, the work activates the people as participants in the work, whether they walk by quickly or stop for a longer time. When you reflect yourself in the work, you become part of it and the environment around you. A fun game is created when two people meet on opposite sides of the work and become one.
The pattern on the pavement below the glass consists of 5 circles which together form a complete circle in a spirograph. Spirograph has two kinds of meaning, viz. a science-based toy for children, but in a medical sense, it is a tool that records breathing movements.
The work offers an opportunity to face oneself as well as reflect oneself against others, which further contributes to increased empathy and understanding. The work is based on a scientific basis and takes inspiration from the hospital as a place, the people and the energy that helps us in mental and physical recovery.
