Hospital Rooms That Can Help Kids Heal

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October 20, 2010 • 12:30 pm PDT
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Ten years ago, Diane Brown found herself in a dreary hospital room, shocked that this kind of bleak environment was supposed to help her get well. Using her art-world connections, she persuaded a few friends to liven up some of these walls. A decade later, RxART is a thriving nonprofit that brings the work of world-class artists to patients whose spirits are lifted by the presence of colorful, inspirational contemporary art in their daily lives. Since then, artists like Jeff Koons, Matthew Ritchie, Alexis Rockman and William Wegman have lent their expertise to hospitals across the country. A 10th anniversary celebration and fundraiser on November 15 in New York City will feature new work by Ryan McGinley and Terry Richardson.

At Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois, RxART commissioned world-renowned contemporary artist Jeff Koons to a create a site-specific installation incorporating a CT scanner and the room in which it's housed.

Alissa Walker
A writer, a gelato-eater and a walker in LA. Follow her at @gelatobaby

Posted in: GOOD Blog,; Culture,; Design,; Lifestyle,

Tags: health,; design,; culture,; art,; illness,; healing,; hospitals,; rxart,; jeff koons,; matthew ritchie,; alexis rockman,; william wegman

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