A Tour of the Assarian Cancer Center
The architecture of the Assarian Cancer Center reflects the drama of the illness. The healing arts spaces are rotated out of the rectilinear form to represent the traumatic disruption of everyday life by an illness. A person diagnosed with cancer may feel the shaking of life’s foundation and may become suddenly disoriented and literally facing a different direction. At the same time, these healing spaces are the most beautiful in the building, signifying the fact that the experience may ultimately bring deep realizations about life and a deeper appreciation of life. The three rooms on the first floor are the science gallery, the art gallery, and the reflection space.
The science gallery presents modules on the science of oncology and the nature of cancer. It contains magnificent art celebrating the wonder of modern scientific discoveries, from DNA molecules producing a protein to the unbelievable complexity of human life. A scientist once said, “If I ever lose faith, I go into the lab and look under a microscope.” Such wondrous awe from scientific discoveries is not uncommon.
The art gallery is used as a forum for patients’ art, but it is also a rotating gallery for local student artists. An art studio on the second floor, and a ceramic studio in the basement complement the gallery. For many patients, creating art in times of weakness may be profoundly healing. Even when too weak to work on art, some visit the ceramic studio for the humorous camaraderie. In the tunnel connecting the Cancer Center to the main building is a community art project, Lasting Impressions, featuring ceramic tiles produced by hundreds of community members. The theme is healing and what healing means, and the beautiful tiles imply an infinite variety of healing pathways.
The reflection space provides a forum to address the spiritual dimension of human illness. The space has also been termed a “soulscape” since it provides an image of the human soul in transformation. You can read more about the Reflection space here.