It is Now: Art for children in hospital

This project is produced by Art Explora in collaboration with It is Now, to present digital art in hospitals across Europe and to support disabled children in hospital through playful, interactive and sensory experiences that are accessible to all.

Our mission

We work with digital artists to produce interactive and inclusive artworks which are installed in children’s hospitals across Europe.

These immersive digital art installations are beneficial for children with special educational needs (SEN) and physical disabilities, as they stimulate the senses and encourage creativity, curiosity and fun!

All Existing Projects

1. Institut Imagine de l'Hôpital Necker - ‘Clouds’ by Arnaud Laffond

2. Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant de Lyon – ‘Reflections’ by Danny Rose

3. Sant Joan de Deu Hospital - Barcelona - ‘Hors du Temps’ by Mouawad/Laurier

4 - Centre Robert Doisneau in Paris - Fondation Ove - ‘Hors du Temps’ by Mouawad/Laurier

5. Village des Enfants Extra-ordinaires in Saint-Maur-des-Fosses - ‘Reflections’ by Danny Rose

6. Pellegrin Hospital at Bordeaux University Hospital (CHU) - Work by students at Enjmin (Ecole National des Jeux Vidéos et des Médias Interactifs based in Angoulême) with Alexandre Perot, supervised by Antonin Fourneau.

7. Institut Saint-Pierre in Palavas les flots – ‘Reflections’ by Danny Rose

8. CH Delafontaine de Saint-Denis - Enjmin student project with Alexandre Perot, supervised by Antonin Fourneau.

9. King's College Hospital, London - Creation of Sony Design studio ‘The Enchanted Forest’

History of the project

In 2020, the project began with the installation of Danny Rose's digital work ‘Reflections’ in the atrium of the Imagine Institute at Necker Hospital in Paris, which treats over 30,000 children every year.

‘Plasma Reflection’ distorts the reflection of its visitors, diffusing their silhouettes onto plasma screens. The interactive digital installation plunges visitors into the heart of the artwork and enhances their sense of physical space.

Danny Rose's ‘Reflections’ was then installed in the lobby of the Femme Mère Enfant hospital in Lyon in 2023, where more than 80,000 children are treated every year. The artwork was later installed in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés in 2024, at the Village des Enfants Extraordinaires, a reception centre dedicated to supporting multi-handicapped children and their families.

Mouawad/Laurier's ‘Hors du temps’ was installed at the Centre Robert Doisneau in Paris in 2023. The centre includes a medical-educational institute (IME) and a home for 300 residents and their families.

Subsequently, Mouawad/Laurier's digital work ‘Hors du temps’ was also installed on the palliative care/chronic illness floor of Barcelona's Sant Joan de Deu Hospital in 2023, which cares for 250,000 children every year. This is the first project to be installed in Spain.

The Enchanted Forest‍

Sony Design's ‘The Enchanted Forest’ was the first artwork to be installed in the UK at King's College Hospital in Denmark Hill, London. It is the first artwork to be designed specifically with this site and target audience in mind.

Set within a magical forest landscape, the artwork is designed to provide a moment of escapism from the immediate hospital surroundings. Children are encouraged to explore the landscape by moving their hands and bodies in front of the screen. Their movements are then reflected on screen as a roaming light, which causes plants and flowers to grow across the forest floor. The image of the setting sun is paired with the noise of birdsong and rustling leaves, to immerse the children deeper into this mythical world.

The screens are situated within paediatric wing next to the rehabilitation centre, accessible to both out-patients and in-patients.  

"Sensory awareness is important for all children, but for those with special needs, stimulation can be particularly beneficial. We are delighted to have been able to work with partners to enable the installation of 'The Enchanted Forest' here at King's. We look forward to seeing our young patients interacting with and enjoying the artwork during their time with us." - Sarah Harris, Head of Nursing for Child Health

‘The Enchanted Forest’ at King's College Hospital is an Art Explora UK project in collaboration with It Is Now. The content was produced by Sony Design, and the project was supported by Art Explora and the King's College Hospital Charity.‍

The team

Creation and coordination- ‘The Enchanted Forest’ at King's College Hospital is an Art Explora UK project in collaboration with It Is Now. The content was produced by Sony Design, and the project was supported by Art Explora and the King's College Hospital Charity.‍

Project conceptualization and initiation: Andres Abad, Marc Cerutti, Simon Feugeas, Theophile Lauseig, Keltoum Marsli, Alexandre Perot, Gabriel Sauvage, Eve-Marie Tissier

Experiential design: Alexandre Perot

Technical adjustments: Tom d'Export, Johan Guerrero, Axelle Humbert-Labouyrie

Our ambitions, your support

At the crossroads of art and technology, the programme conceived by It is Now and delivered by Art Explora provides a real contribution to children and families in hospital care.  

We want to continue to support this cause by installing  25 interactive artworks in hospitals across Europe by the year 2027. Your support is essential to help us offer a moment of joy and distraction to children with disabilities and their families.

How can you support us?  

Become a patron:

If you are a public company, you have the opportunity to become a patron and support It Is Now’s collaboration with Art Explora. By doing so, you will be sending a strong message to your employees and customers in line with your CSR approach. With your support, you will help sick and disabled children enjoy an artistic experience together, bringing creativity to hospitals across Europe.

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 Donate now:

Your donation is eligible for tax deduction and contributes to the inclusion of children with disabilities.

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Contact us:

• Art Explora: Mélanie Rodriguez - Partnership and Sponsorship Manager - melanie.rodriguez@artexplora.org
• It is Now: Noémie Ganem - Founder of It Is Now - contact@itisnow.org

It is Now, created in February 2020, is a French association whose mission is to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities.