The Toronto Video Atlas of Surgery would not exist without the generous donations from our supporters.
When the UHN Foundation was hosting a special event to honor these donors, we felt compelled to contribute in a meaningful way. The TVASurg team proposed creating artwork for hallway displays. These prints were accompanied by QR codes that guests could scan to watch surgical videos related to the art prints. In addition to the static display, we collaborated with Dr. Chaya Schwartz and Dr. Ian McGilvray to create an interactive VR demonstration for the donors.
Display wall A
Hallway B
PLANNING THE SPACE
To select the most appropriate art pieces, we scouted the venue and photographed the available spaces. We identified two areas of display with excellent lighting and adequate wall space to showcase our artwork. We carefully selected artworks featuring transplant procedures to express our deep appreciation for the generous donors.
CURATING THE CONTENT
Display wall A, located beside the entrance, serves as the visual focal point as guests enter the space. We aim to create a bold and compelling presentation here to immediately capture their attention and leave a lasting first impression.
After discussion, we recognized this as an excellent opportunity to repurpose some of the dramatic Westworld opening inspired video teaser we had created for organ transplant week back in 2017. These darker, cinematic renders would complement the sophisticated aesthetic of the space with its dark frames. We decided to highlight four of the commonly transplanted organs: bowel, pancreas, kidney, and liver for the four prints.
For contrast, we chose to create a series of more educational and didactic prints for Hallway B. These prints focused on a living donor liver transplant case involving a father donating part of his liver to his 5-year-old daughter. The artwork highlighted the technical precision required for operating on small blood vessels and the surgical challenges of donor-recipient size mismatches. The pediatric liver transplant procedure was well-suited for this display, as it included two accompanying technique videos that provided additional visual content.
Still from “Until Then”. Watch and read about making this teaser in the blog post linked above.
EXECUTION AND IMPACT
Turning videos into impactful stills was a different challenge we welcomed. The posters were carefully designed and printed on foam core, then precisely measured and hung on the day of the event. Our efforts were well received, with many describing the artworks as powerful and deeply impactful.
Our VR demo also had a strong turnout. The guests were enthusiastically engaging in the virtual environment. This immersive experience allowed guests to virtually perform a liver resection, providing them with a unique perspective on the surgical procedures their donations help advance.
The mini exhibit and VR demonstration successfully bridged the gap between donor appreciation and medical education, giving our supporters a tangible connection to the work they make possible.
VR Demo by Dr. Chaya Schwartz and Dr. Ian McGilvray. Event photos by Andrew Down Photography.