In the four-panel piece titled "Integral Spaces," the
artist used charcoal, acrylics and oil in layers to create a a real sense of
nature and to shed light on her view of the city. Among its images are
bicyclists on the waterfront, the Belle of Louisville, a Cardinal and the
downtown skyline."Ms. Hirn's artwork provides the
perfect first impression for people coming to the outpatient center," said
Gerard Rabalais, chair of both the UofL Department of Pediatrics and of the
physicians group.
"Not only is it a beautiful piece when you first look at
it, but there is so much more to it as you look at it more intently. We asked
the local arts community for proposals for artwork that is more than beautiful,
but also meaningful and representative of Louisville. The more you view this
piece, the many more subtle images you find. The similarities with medicine and
exploring why people come to us are quite natural."
"My hope is that viewers can interact with the piece and
see something new each time they return," Hirn said. "Perhaps it will even bring
a moment of comfort."
That is just what UofL Health Care wants.
"The overall experience our patients and visitors have
when they come to the Outpatient Center has been at the forefront of our
thinking throughout the design, construction and equipping of this building,"
said Larry Cook, executive vice president for health
affairs. "We have tried to make it warmer than your typical health care
facility, and to reflect the warmth of Louisville. We thought the best way to
capture that was for a local artist to create a piece that welcomes our
visitors. Ms. Hirn has done exactly that."
