Heal of art in everyday life

Heal of art in everyday life

These days, artworks through public facilities, also known as ‘public art’, are in vogue. Public art has characteristics that anyone can easily access in public places such as parks or even the center of the city. Moreover, public art sometimes becomes a landmark that is the first thing or image followed when people think of the city. Public artworks give a cultural image to buildings, give artists more opportunities to create, and ultimately lead to the development of culture and art. Additionally, artworks also give unexpected heals and cures to people who are in need of it, in unexpected ways, in unexpected places. There are several public works that comfort people in their daily lives.

Hammering Man speaks of the value of labor

<Photo1; ‘Hammering Man’, a 22meter-tall installation, stands near Gwanhwamun in central seoul>

Hammering Man is an installation of public art by Jonathan Borofsky, located in many cities around the world, including Seattle, Basel(Swiss), Frankfurt, Berlin, and Seoul. Hammer of Hammering Man in Seoul, Korea, moves up and down every 35 seconds from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Artwork conveys the value of labor and life, and also shows respect for workers who work with their own “hammer”, no matter the tools that they use. Furthermore, this public artwork is celebrated for everyone who makes all the supplies that society depends on, whether coal miner, combinator driver, farmer or someone who exists somewhere in the world. During the 35 seconds that the hammer goes down and rises again, people are presented with a moment’s relaxation to pause for a short moment to look around the world. Jonathan Borofsky, an artist who created ‘Hammering Man’ said that “I want this work to communicate to all the people, not just the artists, but families, young and old. I would hope that children who see the Hammering Man at work would connect their delight with the potential mysteries that a museum could offer them in the future. at its heart, society reveres the worker. The Hammering Man is the worker in all of us.” Through his sentences, we can see the meaning and purpose of his works. So how about pausing for a moment and watching ‘Hammering Man’, reflecting on what we’ve been missing in our unrelenting daily life?

The power of solidarity that builds together

<Photo2; The lobby of Duke Raleigh Hospital, with public artwork by Don Martiny>

<Photo3; Staff members in front of “Despite it all, I will arise”>

Entering Duke Hospital in America, two great strokes of textured paint curve up like a blue wave on a wall across from the entrance. Upon closer inspection, we can know that it is not the simple paintwork but the Nigamo, created by Don Martiny. This hospital seems like an ordinary hospital but it is not the typical hospital space that many people think generally. Duke Hospital’s own special program is part of a movement to connect nature, light, art, and music to healing. The hospital installs paintings and statues by “telling story” artists. Also especially, “Despite it All, I Will Arise” by Geroiga Tardy, which is at the hospital, gives patients who fight with cancer liveliness, making them recognize the entrance as comfort when they come directly, rather than the boring space. Furthermore, the program also provides an environment in which patients and staff who are doctors and nurses can create their own artworks. Duke Hospital has already held two exhibitions with artworks made by patients and staff, doctors and nurses.