Until The Day You Feel Good UK
When the new Royal Papworth Hospital opened to its first patients in April this year, they were greeted by a powerful installation aimed at both welcoming patients and staff to the hospital while simultaneously creating a positive, life-affirming atmosphere from the moment they arrive. Created by Adam Ball after being appointed as consultant artist by architects HOK International, the permanent installation, entitled Until The Day You Feel Good, is an integral part of the building's design and has assisted the architects in realising their goal of providing visitors with a positive, easy to navigate environment that helps reduce stress and anxiety. Over the last eight years, Ball worked closely with HOK to create the 3x16-metre light installation that forms the exterior wall of the hospital next to the main entrance.
The work was initially created from white fabric, hand-cut into eleven sections. It was then photographed, before being screen-printed onto glass, and backlit by a bespoke LED lighting system utilising fixtures from Studio Due, designed to gradually change colour over the course of the year. To ensure the work reflected the endeavours of the highly skilled team of professionals at the hospital, Ball collaborated with surgeons and staff from various departments, even witnessing thoracic surgery first hand, while at the same time investigating and researching source material for his work. This means that the artwork is directly influenced by the people who work at the hospital, and is reflective of their ongoing medical advancements. "This work has been a long time in the making, and was underpinned every step by the firm belief in the importance of art in the recovery of patients," said Ball. "While I have always believed this to be the case, I gained a much greater appreciation of its importance when my daughter fell ill and we found ourselves in and out of hospital with her. "Hospitals can be intimidating environments, so I wanted my work to be welcoming for patients and their families as they arrive, and to create a less clinical, optimistic feel and a brief distraction from their circumstances."
In creating Until The Day You Feel Good, Ball enlisted in the help of French colour expert, author and designer Jean Gabriele Causse. The impact of colour on wellness has been well documented in scientific and medical journals internationally. Incorporating this knowledge, the illuminated colour panels transition through the seasons to mark the passing of time. Tones of yellow and orange warm the winter months, while cool, calming and relaxing blues and greens fill the panels in summer. According to Causse, author of The Power of Colours: "The gradually changing colour in Ball's piece reflects the hospital as a dynamic place, evolving day after day. Colour offers comfort and subtly enhances trust, which in a project like this is crucial in the wellness and healing journey." Ian Fleetwood, Lead Designer at HOK's London studio, added: "Adam was a logical and intuitive choice for the entrance piece at the Royal Papworth Hospital. He worked closely with the design team at the early stage of the design process. His enthusiasm and collaborative approach perfectly illustrates the symbiotic relationship between art and architecture, which, as ever, is rich and rewarding."
