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Crystals, Sand + the Art of Healing

In Abu Dhabi’s Burjeel Medical City Hospital, you can find this impressive installation by LASVIT: Art Therapy, designed by Wanda Valihrachová. Merging the past and the present brought it to life – all 16 meters and 620 kilograms of it. Three engines are responsible for guiding a pendulum that draws stories in 50m2 of sand below. The art installation has 300 crystal elements, and every single glass element has its own light source, so the entire piece, as well as the drawing below, emits a beautiful illumination.

Lasvit installation detail

The location is just as important as the installation itself. Burjeel Medical City Hospital aspires to become the most prominent medical facility in the region, and is known for its motto “Art of Healing”. LASVIT’s installation is meant to be a form of therapy for the clients of this luxurious hospital, an extension of that promised motto.

Lasvit installation

Valihrachová designed Art Therapy to fit the building’s overall design, which follows the principles of the Middle Eastern design tradition. The installation’s features aspire to bring a feeling of home and calm to the clients and visitors.

“All in all, we worked on the Art Therapy project for Abu Dhabi’s Burjeel Medical City hospital for two years – that’s from the initial design up to the final installation. Looking at this giant jewel which draws figures in the sand is supposed to give the visitors a sense of peace and safety. The installation has a therapeutic effect,” says Leon Jakimič, owner and president of LASVIT.

Lasvit installation detail

Lasvit installation closeup

Lasvit installation closeup

Lasvit installation

Lasvit installation

Lasvit installation

Lasvit installation detail

Lasvit installation

Lasvit installation detail

To learn more about LASVIT’s Art Therapy installation, visit lasvit.com.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.