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Sculpture causes controversy

A recently unveiled sculpture representing medicine at the entrance to Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is causing controversy amongst visitors to the hospital.

The large statue, an Aesculapian arch in silver grey, beige and red granite, marks the way into the hospital.听听 Stone carved bottles, jars and mortar and pestles feature on the top of the stone archway, representing an apothecary, an ancient symbol of medical practice.

The unique artwork carved by internationally renowned London based sculptor and stonemason Ekkehard Altenburger (RBS) is part of the way marking scheme, designed to help guide patients and visitors around the hospital as it grows.

Mark Robson from Wolverton told the 大象传媒:听 "It's not clear to me what it's supposed to be.听 Are they plant pots on the top?!"

Listen to other visitors' reactions here:

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Bob Heavisides, Director of Facilities at Milton Keynes Hospital, said: "Our aim is to ensure that the environment at Milton Keynes Hospital remains a positive and uplifting one for patients, visitors and staff.

Sculptor Ekkehard Altenburger

"None of the money used to fund the sculpture was diverted from patient care. The funding for the sculpture was part of the capital allowance related to infrastructure improvements to develop roadways and access to the hospital".

The Hospital鈥檚 artworks are commissioned by MK Arts for Health, an arts based charity, or loaned to MK Arts for health for hospital use. MK Arts for Health is supporting the Trust鈥檚 refurbishment programme, and has designed a system of panels to complement the hospital鈥檚 way finding zones

Have you seen the new sculpture?听 What do you think of it?

last updated: 15/04/2009 at 11:26
created: 15/04/2009

Have Your Say

Linda, Eaglestone
It is not mind blowing, how about removing the horrible so called art at the main entrance and replace it with the new one.

Claire
I'm sorry but are these people thick? it's quite obvious that the statue has an apothecary theme! We have a large variety of statues and open air installations in MK and this is a wonderful addition.

TICH.
THE ONLY PROBLEM I CAN SEE IS IT IS THE TAXPAYERS MONEY>

Antony Hamilton
The "Arch" at the main entrance to MK hospital, had achieved the primary obective, that of being noticed. It is by the way carved from solid stone, not concrete, but I would not reccomend walking under it, although correct it is a form of healing arch, it's in the middle of a roundabout. 'elf n safty' issue? May it stand for a many years, and remain a talking point for Milton Keynes.

Katie, MK
What an astounding waste of money - it is a concrete eyesore. I can see why the sculptor is smiling so much on the photo - he is laughing all the way to the bank no doubt for a load of old toot

James, MK
The artwork around the hospital makes a real contribution to the environment for patients and visitors. I think that the site is made much more interesting by the new sculpture.Recent research suggests that social approaches to the arts have the potential to make a major contribution to our health, wellbeing and life skills.

Andrew Hobden, MK
Maybe it鈥檚 a special healing arch, all you have to do is walk under it?

Andy, Two Mile Ash
It always amazes me how local government/councils justify their blas茅 spending on the fact that it did come from a certain pot or budget. At the end of the day it鈥檚 still tax payers money badly spent.

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