Amsterdam
Netherlands
Academisch Medisch Centrum, Meibergdreef 9, A.A. Verheij-Plein Tree of Life since 1 December 1991
without names
Friends for Life was founded by Joram de Bree in the late 80's organizing concerts to benefit the Aids Fonds in the Beurs van Berlage and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. He also had the idea to realize a monument in the Academisch Medisch Centrum (AMC) where the center for research and treatment in the Netherlands was concentrated. It was meant as an expression of gratitude towards the staff and an encouragement for the aids patients and their beloved ones. The Mexican born artist Ricardo Regazzoni designed and built the monument inspired by the DNA double helix, the three St. Andrews crosses in the city's coat of arms and the traditional tree of life. Silkscreen prints with the image were sold to cover the costs. The wooden sculpture gilded in the traditional way is some three meters tall without the pedestal. During the Friends for Life concert on August 27, 1991, it was presented to the hospital in its ungilded state. In cooperation with the AMC Arts Committee, in particular Prof. Brummelkamp, the 'Tree of Life' was placed in the main passage of the central hall or A.A. Verheij-Plein of the AMC and inaugurated on World Aids Day December 1 the same year. After the leave of Prof. Brummelkamp, the sculpture was moved to a less prominent corner of the central hall.

Friends for Life/ Academisch Medisch Centrum