Client: Emory Healthcare

Overview

Dynamic movement was the theme for artwork chosen by May Architecture, taking its cues from the building’s design elements and reinforcing the purpose of this healthcare facility. The Emory Musculoskeletal Institute is a 6-story, comprehensive, patient- and family-centered treatment facility comprised of orthopaedics and spine care, physical therapy and rehabilitation, imaging and ambulatory/outpatient surgery along with clinical and discovery research support space. Colorful, abstracted forms evocative of muscles, tendons and even molecules can be found throughout all areas of the building.

Particular consideration was given to using color as a method of wayfinding through the building’s six floors. We chose artwork in many media – from paintings to silkscreens, to a large, incised, painted mirror wall sculpture – to enliven and peak the interest of the patients, doctors, research faculty and staff.
With over 200 total artworks sourced for this project, 77 are original pieces and nearly half were created by metro-Atlanta artists. An additional 123 artworks are located in exam rooms; printed at a large scale, these artworks contributed bold color while providing a healing environment.

Goals

The client's primary goal for the artwork was to bring color and the sense of dynamic movement into the architecture's subtle aesthetic and neutral palette. May Architecture commissioned and chose artists whose work was conceptually open-ended, but could be perceived by the viewer to be connected to the fluidity and movement of orthopaedics.

Process

Emory Healthcare chose May Architecture's in-house art consultant (Nancy Sokolove) to establish artwork goals and budget, and develop a schedule for the artwork planning, procurement, and installation. MAY worked closely with the Emory's Director of the Musculoskeletal Institute, Emory's project manager and team, and the architects of the building (HKS) to ensure that the artwork played a major role in fulfilling the mission of the institute.