Meeting with Debbie Beirne at Leeds St James Hospital, Bexley Wing, we had a tour around the building and discussed what was on the walls currently and what other possibilities were. Debbie indicated that she would like the images to possible link with research, show, inform, to engage the public but wasn’t sure of how or the visual aspect.
This is the environment where images could possible go: waiting areas, hall ways, reception are in new building etc.
considerations for this environment – must not protrude not the walk space too much, need to pass H&S risk assessment, will need to be cleaned and so the materials need to be robust and stand up to cleaning, they need to have impact and be seen at distance to engage or nice the viewer.
There were obviously corporate visuals from charities involved with the clinical trials research and a small consulting room where patients can get support and guidance which seems to be a very supportive and well used service.
There is already some quite interesting and engaging work on the walls which immediately is more attractive that the staid and vapid “expected” visuals of rolling hills of Yorkshire or Van Gogh’s sunflowers!
Very little connect or link with research. I felt the blood cells on the wall are actually very off putting and would raise my anxiety levels as I found them confrontational, aggressive in their nature although I completely understand the idea of visually signposting the specific department entrances to indicate to the general public what department they are entering but perhaps the execution needs a little more sympathy.
These I thought were hanging in the main entrance of Bexley Wing and I thought they were stunning, they also act as visual markers to direct people to the right area/stairwell from reception which is helpful.
I immediately considered this as an option but perhaps this would be a one off and of course it would depend on the geography and geometry of the new building and you would need the height to achieve the impact. I could use data visualisation to achieve this and perhaps look at colours and feeling of emotions.
In there reception area they have an exhibition space which would be idea to exhibit in but this is not permanent and the artists who exit here are booked in for a period of time and the waiting list is 6 months in advance! So this space is not an option but other areas are for consideration.
sarahbatesmablog 