A part of Dutton’s presentation, this image illustrates what the sculpture would look from the main lobby of Erlanger Baroness Hospital
Matthew Dutton presents his winning design to the jury on March 13
Dutton’s vision of iridescent starlings flying through the two-story lobby is brought to life through his mode
The Arts at Erlanger committee, through a grant from the Lyndhurst Foundation, has commissioned a sculpture to hang in the two story lobby of the Erlanger Cancer Institute at the downtown campus. Out of four finalists, the committee commissioned Matthew Dutton to create a hanging sculpture called “Amelioration Murmuration.”
Last November, the Erlanger arts committee issued an open call for artists to enter a competition determining who would create the piece.
The committee then narrowed the search to four potential sculptors: Rick Booth, Isaac Duncan III, Matthew Dutton and Chuck Peters. These artists created models of their proposed designs for the lobby as well as presentations for the jury, which included 200 Erlanger patients, their families and staff members who voted on the best sculpture.
The four projects were “Adventure Flight Healing” by Rick Booth, a fanciful imagination of a whale guiding a ship through the journey of cancer, “Amelioration Murmuration” by Matthew Dutton, an installation of numerous hanging starlings coming together for the safety and healing of all, “Transcend-dance” by Isaac Duncan III illustrated the dance of metallic elements working together for harmony and healing, and “Ascelpiuspiral” by Chuck Peters presented a healing spiral with stained glass projecting a colorful prism based on the golden section.
“Some consider birds as divine messengers,” Mr. Dutton told jurists during his presentation. “A hospital is a place that leans on the divine and allows miracles to flow through the hands and hearts of all who enter. The starlings ‘safety in numbers’ solution helps shelter the individual from danger much like the medical community has a multitude of specialists all working in tandem for the safety of patients and staff.”
Each bird element in Mr. Dutton’s sculpture will be created by stitching several sequential flight images together. A lenticular lens is adhered on top to animate images, a UV iridescent film on the back of each bird will cast colored reflections, and the iridescent film will change the colors of the birds. These elements cause the birds to appear to be in flight as the viewer moves around the space.
“We were excited to see all of the possibilities and ideas each artist brought to the jury,” said Erlanger Chaplain Katharine Toledano. The Arts at Erlanger committee looks forward to working with Matthew and seeing his vision come to fruition for all our patients, families and staff to enjoy for years to come.”
This is not Mr. Dutton’s first piece to be displayed locally. He also created the butterfly sculpture at The Edwin Hotel’s lobby titled “Murmuration.”
Mr. Dutton’s sculpture is expected to be completed and installed this summer. This piece of art was made possible from a generous donation by the Lyndhurst Foundation. For more information about the Arts at Erlanger program visit www.erlanger.org/artsaterlanger.