The Musical Hare, 2001
Hairmyres Hospital, Hairmyres, Scotland.
Medium :- Ink drawing, Acrylic on Ash Wood and Bill Wells Sounds
Dimensions :- w40m b8cm h10m.
The history of Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals abounds with the recurring presence of music and with the provision of leisure and entertainment facilities for its patients and local community. Activities such as radio, cinema, music, dance, reading and various sports demonstrated a commitment not just to alleviate sickness, but to rebuild both the body and mind. Atkinson.Davidson takes the historical musical activity of the hospital and transforms it into a public artwork The Musical Hare. An installation on the main atrium of a new hospital gives patients and visitors a moment to reflect on the history of the hospital and on their own thoughts and concerns.
Atkinson.Davidson creates four colour fields comprising 181 small paintings, interpreting the idea that in music each note is a different colour. Taking each colour to represent a letter, the paintings spell out the line of a song. Each song produces a colour pattern of its own. Collectively the individual panels render an abstract painting dense with the memories of people and their favourite songs.
Sponsors:- Hairmyres Hospital, Lanarkshire Acute
Hospital NHS Trust,
South Lanarkshire Council, East Kilbride Art Centre and PACE.
