“LOVE,” a free-standing word sculpture that debuted at the Burning Man counterculture arts festival, is scheduled to have a home outside Renown Regional Medical Center the next few months.
The one-ton, welded aluminum artwork with letters 10-feet tall and eight-feet wide is at the hospital’s main entrance, 1155 Mill St. It collectively stretches about 40-feet long, with each letter being approximately 4 feet deep.
The letters are wired for illumination, have weighted steel base plates for anchorage, and will be visible to traffic along Mill and Ryland streets. It’s expected to be lit Thursday night and to be on display through July 16.
Artist and co-designer Laura Kimpton said creating large word art has been a powerful form of healing and expression.
“I can’t tell you how beautiful it is that people will be able to see this work of art at the hospital, contemplate it and be inspired by it,” Kimpton said in a statement.
Jeff Schomberg, who collaborated with Kimpton, said each letter took between 3 and 4 weeks to build. One feature includes light emitting diodes.
“The sculpture is lit from within with color changing LED lights,” Schomberg said in a statement. “The combination of the LEDs and the aluminum produce a unique look at night.”
The duo also built the BELIEVE sculpture at Civic Center Plaza in downtown Reno and the HOME sculpture at Greater Nevada Field.
Artown partnered with Renown to bring the sculpture to the hospital. It was funded by donors and the Renown Health Foundation.
“This piece of art and the message of love during these uncertain times promises to help enlighten, engage and heal the spirits of patients, physicians, nurses and employees at Renown who are fighting the good fight,” Beth Macmillan, Artown executive director, said in a statement.
Tony Slonim, Renown president and CEO, said he’s inspired by passionate caregivers today practicing the art of medicine.
“I know this work of art will inspire them,” Slonim said in a statement. “My appreciation goes out to all who helped bring this LOVE sculpture and bright light into our world. Art has been an inspiration to me for a long time and I hope that its beauty helps to bring inspiration and comfort to everyone who gets a chance to see it.”
