Public Art | Cecilia Levy

Art commission for the main entrance hall of the New Karolinska University Hospital, installed 2017

Plants have been the basis for medical treatments through much of human history, and such traditional medicine is still widely practiced today. Archaeological evidence indicates that the use of medicinal plants dates back to the Paleolithic age, approximately 60,000 years ago.
Roots, stems, leaves, flowers were, and still are, used in e.g. ointments, tinctures, baths – and teas.
Herbal teas can be made in different ways. Infusions are hot water extracts of herbs, such as chamomile or rose hip, through steeping.

The title of my work is a play with words and indicates a fusion between art and folk medicine. ”Contemplation” is used in the sense ”looks at / is aware of / exposed to viewing”. It's a basic term within philosophy and theology. People coming to the hospital are often worried and anxious. I want the viewer to stop for a short while, pause and let the mind wander. My aim has been to create pieces that evoke calm and solace, and humor in a subdued way.

Description
20 plinths distributed along the main entrance hall of the New Karolinska University Hospital, containing more than 25 paper objects/sculptures

Theme
15 medicinal plants particularly suitable for infusions. 5 of these ”plant plinths” contain built-in boxes at a child-friendly height, with insects that can be seen through peep-holes. Another 5 plinths contain tea sets; -cups, -pots, -spoons

Distribution in the room
9 plinths in front of the pillars along the entrance hall. 5 plinths in front of a lift, 2 rows with 3 plinths under each side of the stairs in the center of the hall

Material/technique
Old books, comic magazines (Tarzan, Spiderman), wheat starch paste, steel wire. Papier maché technique

Other: All objects are mounted on round or square concrete slabs, fitted into plinths covered with ash veneer. Hand blown Borosilicate glass bell jars in 3 heights and glass vitrines in tempered glass protect the paper objects from dust and moisture.