Pablo Picasso once said, “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” Art also advances the healing process.
Throughout the Johns Hopkins Medicine campuses, a vast array of artwork and sculptures can be found that bring delight to staff and visitors alike. A few iconic ones that come to mind include:
- The imaginative animal sculptures suspended from The Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children’s Center ceiling
- The magnificent Jesus Christ statue in The Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Carefully landscaped outdoor healing gardens on multiple campuses
- The 6,000-piece glass “Sky” hovering over the main lobby at All Children’s Hospital
What piece of Johns Hopkins piece of artwork is most inspiring to you? Share your thoughts -- and a photo or two -- in today’s Question of the Week.
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Comments
statue of christ and the building that it stands in is the perfect place get a feeling of Gods persence is there.
It is definitely the Christ Statue. I have been there to find solace as well as many others. I have seen a variety of items placed there in prayer. The strong belief in prayer is sometimes all we have for our ill loved ones or ourselves. Please never take it away!
Wow!!!! That's the invariable comment ("Wow"!) from every visitor to the new Smith Building of the Wilmer Eye Institute, where a 3-story polished stainless steel sculpture called Quest takes off from the atrium floor and sores vertically skyward for 3 stories. Sculpted by a Hopkins patient, Mr. John Safer of Virginia, it elicits oohs and ahs from everyone who sees it. It is magnificent, and brightens everyone's day.
I invite you to go ahead and have a look....Wow!!!
The sculpture Quest by John Safer in the Smith Building inspires researchers to look beyond the norm and explore new areas of research and generate exciting new ideas.
The absolute best aesthetic piece all around that I went out of my way to view was the 125 gallon cichlid fish tank that used to reside in the old Admitting area off of the Wolfe st. entrance. I don't know where it went but to all the fishes: rest in peace. I think staff, patients and visitors alike all marveled at the beauty of the set up and the mesmerizing dance of the diverse fish within.
The painting of Dr. Martin Abeloff in the Weinberg Building is one of my favorites. I have great memories of working with Dr. Abeloff. He was a very kind, gentle and caring human being.
The Statue of Christ is also one of my favorites. When I walk through the Administration Building, it welcomes you. It is very comforting.
I work for the Home Care Group in Dundalk, don't get down to the main campus that much. Whenever I do, I MUST go to see the statue of Jesus. I find it inspiring - spiritual. I think, for those who believe, it is almost a source of energy & peace of mind.
The Jesus Christ statue is so important to me. I talk to the lord before I leave for work and it is as if, he meets me upon my arrival. I always touch his feet and say "THANK YOU!".
The Jesus Christ statue is my favorite and the most important to me.
I agree that the statue of Christ is important, but my favorite of all is a picture that is (was?) hanging on the 4th floor of the Blalock building. It shows a structure (doors? large window?) of what (in my imagination) used to be a very elegant building (or perhaps institution?), but now is abandoned and in ruins, and trees are growing inside. What it says to me is that this little piece of earth used to be a meadow or forest; someone decided to clear the land and build this structure; the building housed people for many uses over the years, but the people have moved on; now nature is reclaiming the land. If I could, I would get a print of this picture for my home. It affirms that nothing is forever, and that one day all I know will be gone also, so I should appreciate what I have while I still have it (and keep fresh the memories of what is already gone while I can).
The statue of Jesus Christ. Although, I wonder how long it will be allowed to remain there in the hallway, because of all the political correctness. I love that people touch his feet and lay flowers at the base. The statue is a reminder that the God of the universe is available to us when we call upon Him.
Just my opinion, of course, but: Considering Mr. Hopkins didn't want ANY specific religious affiliations for the institution he endowed, I think the statue of Christ is pretty secure where it is. Even Muslims and Jews affirm that Jesus was an important figure to their faith (and history), and Buddhists wouldn't be offended either. Since this property isn't "public" in the way government offices are "public" and since the Hopkins community takes great effort to ensure all cultures are represented and made as comfortable as possible, I don't see any reason why the statue would be removed. It is important to those who recognize it for what it is, and ignored by everyone else.
Carol,
Political correctness is bad but if we all practiciced civility and mutual respect, there would be no need for it. I like the statue of Jesus vey much even though I'm not a believer. I hope it remains indefinitely because it's great artwork and it does comfort a lot of people.
The portraits of Dr. Alfred Blalock and Vivien Thomas inspires me always, and it always feels like I'm looking at them for the first time. Their medical accomplishments, friendship, history they made, their contributions to Johns Hopkins, and hope they gave are truly inspiring.
My favorite is the Jesus Christ statue it has brought many of conforting and peaceful day, times when I felt that everything and everyone was against me i would go and look at that statue and it was as if Jesus his self came down and lifted me up and I was able to make it through another day.
Statue of Christ. You almost have to ask the question: "Besides the Statue of Christ, which piece of Johns Hopkins piece of artwork is most inspiring to you?"