Waves is a multifaceted project by Sadé Studio, led by artist Shuli Sadé, featuring a massive, 36-foot-long digital mural recently installed at the University of Michigan Health’s D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion.
This artwork is layers imagery of water—long associated with healing and renewal—to evoke Michigan’s lakes and rivers and their calming, restorative presence. The composition references multiple brain-wave states—Gamma, Beta, Alpha, Theta, Delta, and Epsilon—moving from focused cognitive activity to deep restorative states, reinforcing a healing environment for patients, visitors, and staff. Interwoven are subtle nods to University of Michigan medical landmarks and Ann Arbor’s historic and contemporary sites, enabling viewers to recognize familiar places and connect personal memories with the landscape. Nature and science—brain waves, cardiac rhythms, and water currents—are translated into a unified visual language anchored by flowing aquatic forms. Designed to support calm reflection and familiarity, Waves emphasizes renewal, resilience, and restorative qualities through layered imagery and soothing movement.
The project evolved through a collaborative process involving artists, fabricators, installers, and institutional partners. Sadé Studio conceived the artwork and led project management for fabrication and installation, coordinating materials, production, and site integration to ensure durable, high-quality aluminum prints that harmonize with the Pavilion’s healing mission. The result is an immersive, site-specific work that promotes wellbeing and community daily connection.
