With the heavy-lifting help of the Buildings and Grounds team at Massachusetts General Hospital, a new sculpture has found a home on the Bulfinch Lawn.
The artwork, titled “Open Arms,” is one of the creations of Harold Grinspoon, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, artist and grateful Mass General patient. His son is Steven Grinspoon, MD, director of Mass General’s Program in Nutritional Metabolism.
Open Arms that Resonate
“The name, ‘Open Arms’ resonates with both our hospital values and for me personally,” said Peter L. Slavin, MD, Mass General president. “First and foremost, Mass General is a temple of healing – no matter what our patients look like, what they believe, where they come from or whom they love. The hospital is open to all.”
Mr. Grinspoon’s sculptures are made from fallen trees he has come across in the forest surrounding his home, and from Spanish live oaks that he found in the southern U.S. He says he envisions ways to cut and reform the trees to give them a new life.
To give back to Mass General – which he says has done so much for him throughout his life – Mr. Grinspoon spoke to Brit Nicholson, MD, senior vice president of Development, about displaying one of his sculptures at the hospital.
A Singular Sculpture
“During our visit to Harold’s house and studio, we came across one sculpture that really stood out, not only because of its design but also because of its name ‘Open Arms,’” said Dr. Nicholson. “Immediately, I was struck, given the credo of the Mass General and what is currently happening in our political climate. It seemed perfect for the hospital.”
A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Nov. 26, 2018. Hosted by the Mass General Development Office, the event honored Mr. Grinspoon and his team, his wife, Diane Troderman and the Mass General Buildings and Grounds crew, whose expertise was cited as being instrumental in the installation of the sculpture.
The tree – which will be displayed at Mass General for two years – is one of the Spanish live oaks, and thought to be roughly 200 years old, about the same age as Mass General.
“There is such a sense of history with this tree, we realized if we were going to have a sculpture on the lawn, this was the one to have,” Dr. Nicholson said.
