Before the demolition of the MMHC (Massachusetts Mental Health Centre), artist Anna Schuleit was commissioned to create an onsite installation in memory of a building which had served the community in the sensitive sector of mental health and psychiatric care for 91 years.
After visiting the site, the artist was saddened by the absence of color and energy within its walls. She was inspired by this to introduce color to the building for the first and last time of its existence through the medium of flowers. She decided on potted flowers as being the best choice due to their manageability and longevity when compared to cut flowers and named this massive public art installation ‘Bloom’.
In the vast basement area of 5.600 sq.m., grass turfs were laid and watered and on the upper levels, the halls, wards, offices and corridors were filled with 28.000 potted flowers in glorious colors which created a surrealistic contrast to the sterile spaces. The flowers were watered and lovingly cared for and members of the community were invited to visit the institution. The reaction of the public to the installation varied tremendously from joy to sorrow as they recalled what this place had meant to them and their loved ones and not one of them could fail to be moved by the carpets of color.
This spectacular memorial was for the building, the staff and the patients, some of whom had lived their whole lives behind closed doors without visitors or friends or knowing of the healing properties of flowers. After 4 days, the building closed its doors and the flowers were distributed to institutions for the sick, the needy and the homeless where they could once more bring pleasure to the lives of many.
