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“A Caring Community” sculpture captures the vision of New Ulm Medical CenterDuring the last major renovation and expansion of the New Ulm Medical Center, which was completed in 2005, building committee members knew from the beginning that they wanted to incorporate something special into the design of the building – something that would tie together all the pieces of hope, happiness and struggle that create the very fabric of the work that occurs within the community healthcare facility every day. This fall, that vision was realized in the completion of the sculpture “A Caring Community” that was completed and mounted on the large pillar outside the entrance of the hospital – the pillar that was constructed for the specific purpose of featuring the work of art. “Since the Renaissance period, public institutions like hospitals, government, education and churches have been supporters of public art,” said Hugh Nierengarten, a member of the NUMC Board of Directors and a member of the building committee. It’s no secret that the community of New Ulm has a history of supporting public art, too, Nierengarten said – from the Hermann Monument, to the German-Bohemian Monument and the fountain in German Park. “That art has been a result of the efforts of institutions such as this to contribute to the aesthetics of the community – an endeavor that has been of sufficient import to Allina for them to help defray the costs.” After connecting with Forecast Public Arts - an organization which, among other things, helps facilities like NUMC find the appropriate artist for their projects – NUMC interviewed four sculptors. Each one presented their initial “vision” for the project. One candidate, Christopher Tully, rose to top of the pack “rather quickly,” Nierengarten said. Tully’s previous works included more whimsical, colorful pieces for children and he was thrilled with the chance to do something different. “What a wonderful job by the committee that they looked at my previous works, saw a guy who put together 16 foot pink elephants and still thought I could pull this off,” Tully said. From the moment he saw photos of the angular column that was constructed for the purpose of showcasing the artwork, Tully knew that he wanted to wrap his sculpture around the pillar – to make it a part of the art and not just a place to hang it. His initial thought of a flock of birds moving in a swift motion up and around the pillar eventually changed to a group of people moving in the same sort of fluid motion up toward the sky. “As his vision developed, it was obvious he was attempting to convey a group of people acting cooperatively in benefit for all and in doing so they are all able to ascend to greater heights,” Nierengarten said. “There’s a little bit of whimsy in the piece and playfulness, but some struggle – they’re working hard to do things,” Tully said. “There are multiple levels represented, family, an elderly gentleman, the father and son at the top. It represents life: the struggles, but also the playfulness and fun. There’s a little bit of celebrating up at the top, too.” Physically, the piece is interesting, Nierengarten said. The committee had to worry about things like wind noise, pigeons, and stress on the column. The sculpture is constructed from a steel “skeleton” covered with foam and coated with several layers of fiberglass. Altogether, the piece weighs about 350 pounds, including the stainless steel armature that connects the sculpture to the pillar. Tully said it took him a total of about six months to complete the piece. |
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New Ulm Medical Center
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