Jaime Hayon, 'Mon Cirque', Bristol, 2014. Photo Max McClure, Courtesy of the artist and Willis Newson.
Synopsis
Spanish artist and designer Jaime Hayon was commissioned to develop a series of new works to animate and connect three internal courtyards within the new Southmead Hospital Bristol. ‘Mon Cirque’, a series of sculptural groupings, has been devised to be viewed from ward blocks, hospital accommodation, consulting areas and other spaces situated around the courtyards.
The development of Southmead Hospital Bristol integrated a major public art programme, featuring the work of nationally and internationally recognised artists, including Jaime Hayon who created work for the courtyard of the new building.
Hayon’s design, which differs in each of the three courtyards, comprises of colourful vase-like forms, set high on slim-line steel-legged structures which are reminiscent of ladders. The vase-like forms, which have strong figurative qualities, are based on Hayon’s trademark ceramic works with a sleek turned surface, and organic apertures and protrusions.
As with all of Hayon’s works, the forms are fun and functional, unique and unexpected. Visible from numerous points, the artist hopes that they will draw the eye from many different angles. Mon Cirque blurs the lines between art, decoration and design offering a moment of reflection and wonderment, to stop and ponder, as one passes through the hospital and its spaces.
Each group of 5 sculptures is finished in a different colour to distinguish the courtyards from each other. The sculptures fuse vase-like forms with figurative qualities to provide a narrative.
The works have been designed to integrate with the landscape so that they animate these enclosed spaces, emerging from and disappearing into the foliage, creating an element of surprise and visual engagement which brings these non accessible spaces to life.
The public art programme for the new Southmead Hospital was led by arts consultants Willis Newson, commissioned by the developers of the site, Carillion. Underpinning the project was a close collaboration between North Bristol NHS Trust and its arts programme Fresh Arts, architects Building Design Partnership (BDP), the commissioned artists, Carillion & Willis Newson. Willis Newson also worked with Theresa Bergne of Field Art Projects.
Artist and designer Jaime Hayon studied industrial design in Madrid and Paris, he joined Fabrica in 1997, running its design department until 2003. He opened his own studio in 2000 and focused entirely on his own designs from 2003 on. Jaime Hayon’s singular vision first appeared in “Mediterranean Digital Baroque” at London’s David Gill Galleries, followed by many exhibitions and installations in leading galleries and museums. Keen to preserve craft skills he has joined forces with high-end traditional companies concerned about the evolution of their products. Examples of this are his partnerships with Baccarat, Choemon, Bosa Ceramiche and Lladró, where he is creative consultant. Hayon has also created furniture ranges for Fritz Hansen, Magis, Established and Sons, Bisazza, BD Barcelona, Sé London, Bernhardt Design, Ceccotti and Moooi, and designed lighting collections for Metalarte and in collaboration with Swarovski and Baccarat. He has created accessories for Piper Heidsieck, Gaia & Gino and The Rug Company. These collections have placed Jaime at the fore of a new wave of designers who blur the lines between art, decoration and design, prompting a rebirth of finely-crafted, intricate objects within the contemporary design culture. With offices in Italy, Spain and the UK, Hayon’s key focus is on new challenges and perspectives.
Southmead Hospital Bristol is a £430m new hospital for Bristol developed by the NHS Trust and PFI developers Carillion. The hospital is an 800 bed acute hospital built on the existing Southmead site.
The public arts programme led by Willis Newson was part of the PFI initiative and built on research which clearly demonstrates the direct benefits for patients of incorporating visual and performing arts into the hospital environment.
Willis Newson is a leading Bristol-based independent arts consultancy specialising in creative approaches to improving health and wellbeing. It develops & delivers public art strategies for new builds and refurbishments, manages public engagement programmes, offers an affordable design service for healthcare and provides advice and guidance on using art & design to create healthy environments.
Willis Newson was established in 2001 and has since carried out over 200 projects for more than 31 NHS Trusts, as well as working on projects for private healthcare clients, contractors and architects.
