New Sculptures Take Root in Cedars-Sinai Healing Gardens

Eight new sculptures by prominent artists have been added to Cedars-Sinai's award-winning, 82,500 square foot Healing Gardens, which surround the medical center.

"These unique sculptures are both thought-provoking and meditative," said John T. Lange, curator of Cedars-Sinai's art collection of 4,000 works by notable artists—all donated to create a healing environment for patients, visitors and staff members. "Together, with the guidance of our Advisory Council for the Arts, we trust these pieces of art will both beautify our campus and the experience of those on our campus—goals we have upheld since the art collection began in 1966."

Here's a glimpse into the newest sculptures added to the Cedars-Sinai Healing Gardens, part of the Stanley and Elyse Grinstein Program for Public Sculpture:

• "MUSHMIND" by Aaron Curry: This creative piece on loan from Curry stands prominently at nearly 9 feet and 600 pounds and is a captivating purple.
• "Barranca" by Anna Fasshauer: The combination of light blue and red aluminum painted with car lacquer weighs nearly 200 pounds.
• "Molecule Man" by Jonathan Borofsky: Made of thick aluminum, this 150-pound sculpture depicts the molecules of all human beings coming together to create existence.
• "Deer" by Gwynn Murrill: Integrated into a lush environment in the Healing Gardens, these two bronze deer were inspired by the surroundings of Murrill's daily life and her interpretation of nature.
• "Skygate Number Six" by DeWain Valentine: This towering sculpture made of bronze and glass weighs more than 1,900 pounds and was first created in 1984.
• "Nothing Is New Except What Is Forgotten" by Alexis Smith: The words "nothing is new except what is forgotten" were inlaid in metal into concrete on a walkway bridge between the medical center and an employee parking structure. The layout of the print evokes Mexican carpet-weaving traditions.
• "Three-Part Reclining Figure" by Henry Moore: A large bronze sculpture depicting a figure reclining is on long-term loan from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).
• "Sheaf of Wheat" by Harry Bertoia: This stainless steel sculpture is nestled into the landscaping and is said to chime in the wind. This sculpture is also on loan from LACMA.

"These pieces of art are as unique as the patients and visitors who walk through our doors each day," said Lange. "We are extremely proud of our latest sculptures, but mostly for the commitment we have to providing comfort and inspiration in a setting that can be very stressful."

The art collection took shape in 1966 when prominent art collector Frederick Weisman was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai with a head injury, Lange said. A few days later, when Weisman was still unable to recognize his wife, Marcia Simon Weisman, she brought a prized Jackson Pollock painting to his room.

Legend has it that he bounced back instantly, prompting Marcia Simon Weisman, an art collector herself and a founder of Los Angeles' Museum of Contemporary Art, to begin collecting art for the medical center, convincing friends, artists and collectors to donate to the collection. To this day, every item in the Cedars-Sinai art collection has been donated or is on loan.

"Marcia Simon Weisman started this tradition of giving art to the hospital," Lange said.

Today, the medical center's Advisory Council for the Arts, made up of fine-art enthusiasts and art professionals—many of whom knew the Weismans personally—continues the mission. The council reviews every work offered to the medical center, focused on keeping true to the Weismans' vision.

Take a walking tour of the Cedars-Sinai Healing Gardens using this downloadable map.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai blog: Healing Gardens Offer a Therapeutic Landscape