St. Vincent Hospital

Indianapolis, Indiana

Art Consultant: in•site Art Consulting Group, Indianapolis, IN; Angela Norris

Architect: Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf, Inc., Indianapolis, IN

Inflorescence
11.2' w. by 8.9' h.


As visitors approach the Oncology Center, Inflorescence greets them from across a landscaped entry garden. Reflective opal glass animates the window even during the day.The nondenominational Chapel at St. Vincent Hospital’s Oncology Center is a quiet retreat for prayer, meditation and sanctuary. Seen from outside, its stained glass echoes flowing water and waving foliage. Once inside, Inflorescence reveals sparkling textures and warm color. Transparent glasses enframe views out into garden and sky, while darker grays and translucent opal provide a sense of privacy and separation.

Inflorescence draws on imagery of growth and flowering to convey hope, enlightenment and transcendence. The window is a metaphor for the reaching up toward enlightenment or for the reassuring descent of light and comfort downwards. Shapes recalling a germinating seed and opening blossom unfold upward from the darkest areas of gray glass into the hopeful, brighter upper window. The brightest glass at the top flow past the window’s upper edge to escape into the infinite, unseen brightness beyond.


Materials: German, French and Domestic Mouthblown Glass; Lead; Solder. Installed behind tempered, protective glazing.