Baycrest Health Sciences & Baycrest Foundation Publications
Issue link: http://baycrest.uberflip.com/i/770871
3 T H E B R A I N P R O J E C T 2 0 1 6 he visionary exhibit that took over Toronto in the summer of 2016 started with a conversation between two people. Baycrest Board member Erica Godfrey and her husband Noah were on a trip to New York City and found themselves impressed by the abundance of colourful outdoor works of art. A light-bulb moment occurred when they realized that Baycrest could help beautify the streets of Toronto with sculptures that would put brain health top of mind for the millions of people who would see them. Garry Foster, president and CEO of the Baycrest Foundation, enthusiastically endorsed the proposal and the wheels were quickly put into motion. And so began one of the most ambitious, public art exhibitions in the history of Toronto. A committee was formed, co-chaired by the Godfreys and their friends Ben and Jessica Mulroney. Between the two couples, three grandparents had been affected by Alzheimer's disease. Not only did they aim to build awareness of Baycrest Health Sciences among their own generation, they were committed to getting more people – of all ages – to realize that awareness of brain health must begin early. To launch The Brain Project, respected curators were brought on board and specifications were developed for the brain sculptures. An unembellished brain – sturdy, visually appealing and open to multiple avenues of interpretation – was created to be shipped to the artists to become their "blank canvas." Presenting sponsor TELUS was the first to get behind the project and other sponsors soon followed. Various sites throughout the city were approached to host the sculptures. It was a considerable undertaking that brought together leaders in business, philanthropy, healthcare, research and the arts. His Worship John Tory, the mayor of Toronto, commended the diverse elements that collaborated to bring the project to fruition. "This public art installation raises awareness and inspires people to think about their own brain health throughout every stage of life while bringing beauty to our city through art and once again putting us on the map as an innovator," Mayor Tory said. T A B O U T T H E B R A I N P R O J E C T