Daru's Unveils Two New Public Art Commissions for NYU Langone Medical Center

For New York based artist Daru (Jung Hyang Kim) two new public art commissions for NYU Langone Medical Center (NYU Langone) illuminate the healing connections between nature and culture. Her latest contemporary masterpiece, "Floating Bubbles and Whimsical Rays," is a 12-by 20-foot glass artwork that was recently unveiled in the new 38th Street lobby of NYU Langone's Ambulatory Care Center.

"By using vibrant patterned colors and floral forms, I tried to create optical rays and floating bubbles to give a feeling of happiness and whimsy," said Daru, whose works have been featured in numerous publications and widely exhibited in the U.S. and Korea. "By presenting both nature and culture, I want to create a sense of what is seen and what is imagined, thus creating harmony and eternity."

The first of Daru's two commissions, the lobby glass piece, consists of four panels of laminated glass that were fabricated by Germany's Glasmalerei Peters Studio. Each panel has two pieces that were fused together after digital printing and airbrushing. Mirror and jewels were attached to the glass surface to reflect the surrounding environment and give additional depth to the piece, which was installed on a metal wall frame with backlit LED lights by a team of 20 workers.

Daru's second commission, "Sun Feast" is a 12- by 24-foot mosaic artwork installed in the 37th Street plaza of NYU Langone's Ambulatory Care Center. Fabricated by Miotto Mosaics, the work consists of over 54,000 glass and small mosaic pieces and put together in nine puzzle-like pieces.

In recent years, art has become increasingly important to many healthcare environments, added Jodi Moise, curator of the NYU Langone Medical Center Art Collection. "Studies have shown that such programs improve patients' overall health outcomes, treatment compliance and quality of life.

"Art also helps create a positive environment for caregivers, reducing stress and improving overall workplace satisfaction," said Moise. "The collections at Langone Medical Center foster a welcoming, healing environment that supports our mission to treat the whole patient by addressing emotional as well as physical needs."

Throughout her artistic career, Daru's work has illuminated the natural cycles of renewal, growth and hope, using both vibrant and subdued colors in a wide variety of artistic media. In 2006, her commissioned public art work include the Crescent Street Station in Brooklyn for New York City's MTA Arts for Transit program and three monumental glass works in 2011 for LIG Insurance in Sacheon, Korea.

For more information: www.daru-junghyangkim.com