Brian Eno Designs Hospital Healing Rooms

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/from-roxy-music-to-the-cure-brian-eno-composes-soundscapes-to-treat-hospital-patients-8577179.html

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He is a multi-media innovator, an app-creating visual sculptor and the intellectual guru to rock legends seeking inspiration.

Now Brian Eno is to help improve the nation’s health after designing an ambient “healing environment” which will be incorporated into new hospitals so that patients can recuperate to a backdrop of soothing light and sound.

Eno, the former Roxy Music member who produced landmark albums for David Bowie, Talking Heads and U2, will today unveil two individual light and sound installations at the newly-opened Montefiore Hospital in Hove, east Sussex.

The £35 million hospital is the first to incorporate Eno’s installations, which aim to evoke a “serene atmosphere” and enhance the hospital’s “three dimensional, all-embracing means of treating patients”, in its architectural design.

Often cited as the inventor of “ambient music”, Eno, 64, has created “77 Million Paintings for Montefiore”, an installation of light and “generative music” in the reception area. Eno’s “generative music” employs an electronic system so that the sounds are constantly changing and never repeat.

Eno has also created “Quiet Room for Montefiore”, a space available downstairs to patients, visitors and staff as a place to “escape” – “somewhere to think, take stock or simply relax.”

Here Eno decided that generative music would not be suitable so he has recorded a special soundtrack and created a light installation specifically for the space.

Eno, who previously created a soundtrack to enhance the airport experience for jittery fliers, was asked to provide installations by Robin Turner, a local surgeon, after this wife had spent two hours immersed in the quiet serenity of one of the producer’s installations.

The hospital, which takes 30 per cent of patients from National Health Service GP referrals, agreed that an installation could have a well-being effect on staff and patients.

Architects IBI Nightingale said: “Creating a healing environment isn’t only about correct surgical procedures and the right technology but also about making an atmosphere where the patients feel able to relax enough to clearly think through their options, and to properly take part in the healing process themselves.”

Eno hopes to create more hospital healing zones. A spokesman for Eno said: “Since word about this broke in the architectural world there have been four different architects who work specifically in the design of hospitals who have expressed particular interest in Brian’s installations. I believe they have already visited the Montefiore Hospital. Brian may well get involved with more hospitals.”

Research has provided evidence that the use of art and music can produce improved psychological, physiological and biological outcomes of clinical significance in patient care.

Eno was directly inspired by Florence Nightingale, the spokesman added, who observed in 1859 that “variety of form and brilliancy of colour in the objects presented to patients have a powerful effect and are actual means of recovery.”

The reception installation is designed to demonstrate that “patient care” starts as soon as staff and patients pass through the hospital doors.

However hardcore Eno fans, who have followed his 40 year career as a cultural innovator, may have to suffer a medical misfortune in order to hear his latest work. His spokesman said: “It’s true to say that ‘The Quiet Room for Montefiore’ is an album that can only be heard in the Montefiore Hospital”.

 

Its true to say that The Quiet Room for Montefiore is an album that can only be heard in the Montefiore Hospital.

TRUE PHANS, you know what to do.

Eno's awesomeness strikes again

  On 4/18/2013 at 8:19 PM, LimpyLoo said:

Eno's awesomeness strikes again

  On 4/18/2013 at 8:28 PM, joshuatx said:

 

  On 4/18/2013 at 8:19 PM, LimpyLoo said:

Eno's awesomeness strikes again

 

what if the sounds turn out to actually make people anxious

I scanned this topic title and my heart sunk because I thought it said 'Brian Eno in Hospital' initially... Okay, I'm actually going to read the contents now.