Client: Norman Regional Health Foundation

Overview

Size of work:14' 11″ total height, 10' 7″ in structure height, 44″ foundation height, 8' 8″ height of openings. The materials consist of powder-coated colored stainless steel rods1/4″ and 3/16″ in diameter; custom hardware designed and manufactured by Mid-Ocean Studio; stainless steel tripod clips, stainless steel swivel clips; custom stainless steel attachments of various sizes; 2,000 crystal prisms.

Goals

On May 20, 2013, an EF-5 tornado tore its way through miles of homes, schools and businesses, leaving complete destruction in its wake. Moore Medical Center, one of Norman Regional Health System’s hospitals, took a direct hit. Our staff on-duty courageously put their lives at risk to save the lives of our patients, families and visitors. Working up to the moment of impact, staff moved and sheltered our patients, their families and our visitors. As a result of their courage, we lost no one at our hospital that day. All 300 employees, patients and community members sheltering at Moore Medical Center during the tornado survived with no major injuries. The building, however, was declared a total loss by insurance agents and structural engineers. Sanctuary is an inspirational art tribute to honor the courage and caring that took place and to inspire hope and healing for the future. This permanent work of art serves as a visible symbol of hope and healing in the wake of our communal loss and devastation.

From a distance, this special artwork will serve as a beacon, connecting our community in hope for the future. Up close, it will inspire and uplift spirits.

Process

This work is directed toward affirming the values of the Norman Regional Health System by using their logo, of interlinked care, compassion and community. The pyramidal structure is filled with over 2,000 crystal prisms that refract sunlight into spectrum. This rainbow light is intended to create a feeling of wellbeing within spectators. Sanctuary was designed by Brower Hatcher and Mid-Ocean Studios as a healing chamber in a three dimensional configuration of the Norman Regional Health System logo, which symbolizes the links between physicians, staff, patients and community, as the design of the sculpture foundation. With more than 2,000 crystal connectors, Sanctuary’s prismatic light will induce feelings of hope and healing for those entering Norman Regional Moore.

The pyramid can be entered through four triangular openings. Once enveloped in the luminous crystal chamber one experiences a magical effect – shimmering rainbow prisms reflected on the floor, on the structure and on oneself.