The Heart on display at Union Square Park is part of the “Hearts in San Francisco” project which will benefit The San Francisco General Hospital.

Hearts in San Francisco was a Bay Area-wide “heart installation” that debuted in the spring of 2004. While similar to Chicago’s “Cows on Parade,” the San Francisco version used a heart icon, appropriate for a city that is recognized for its acceptance and tolerance, as well as being perennially open-hearted.

Over 130 recognized and emerging artists transformed heart sculptures into unique works of art. These hearts were installed on sidewalks, plazas, parks, and street corners throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. On February 14, 2004 the first two Hearts were unveiled in a kick-off event in Union Square.