“Art in its highest form is art that serves and instructs society and human development.” – Harry Belafonte
Especially today, especially in Indianapolis, Harry Belafonte’s words should resonate. In its highest form, art serves us and teaches us, not in any paternalistic way but like a mirror or magnifying glass, giving us a view of our existence we might otherwise overlook in the everyday hustle and bustle of our lives.
It shows us elements of humanity we may not otherwise perceive. We benefit and learn – not in some didactic sense of memorizing rules, but through our experiences – from art in its highest form.
Art that serves and teaches is art to which we all have access. It’s art we can experience together as a community. It’s art that contributes to our health and healing in an emotional, spiritual and physical way.
On March 18, Wishard shares with all of Indianapolis the initial set of art proposals for the works under consideration for the New Wishard when it opens in 2014.
Like the diverse fabric of our community, women and men of different races, with different histories, some with ties to Indiana and Indianapolis and others from outside our borders, created the art proposals. These proposals represent conceptual works that, pending committee approval, the artists would use as a basis for evaluation and creation of the final works. The artists created their proposals after learning all they could about Wishard and its role to serve our community, and the art proposals they produced will aspire to achieve art’s highest form.
They will aspire to show us and teach us about our own connectivity to one another and our community, our own inextricable tie to this city’s geographical and sociological landscape and our daily interactions with our health and our natural surroundings.
They will aspire to serve us by contributing to Wishard’s creation of an environment of healing. Studies show that exposure to art and natural beauty contribute to improved health outcomes. Long before any of today’s advanced studies, Wishard recognized this relationship and in 1914 – almost 100 years ago – invited local artists like T.C. Steele and Indianapolis-born African-American painter William Edouard Scott to create murals and paintings to fill the hospital.
Wishard’s art committee will review all of the proposals and accept only a few for the New Wishard.
We at Blackburn Architects provide comprehensive architectural services – design, planning, interior design and the integration and administration of public art. We are a city- and state-certified minority-owned business enterprise. When the New Wishard opens, our firm will be celebrating 40 years of practice in this community and proud to serve as administrator of the New Wishard art program. It is a privilege to be a part of the New Wishard and an art program that aspires to the highest form of art.
I encourage everyone to enjoy the opportunity to be a part of this program during the public comment period.
Following the March 18 event, the art proposals for the New Wishard will be on display from March 21 to April 1. Wishard will display the proposals, with comment forms, in the hospital’s Sunshine Hallway, at Wishard’s Community Health Centers located throughout Indianapolis, at the City Market and online at www.TheNewWishard.org.
Please join me in sharing your views on the art proposals and sharing your support for a new Wishard and an art program that seeks to serve us all.
Alpha Blackburn
President & CEO
Blackburn Architects Inc.
