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36 AIRPORT ART HELEN NORMAN n

Since the T5 Gallery opened just over a year and a half ago, it has

become an important part of the culture and experience of Heathrow Terminal 5. As one of the only permanent commercial fine art galleries in the world to be situated in an airport, it is in a unique position to reach and introduce art to a wide international audience.

The key objectives of the gallery are: to showcase and support established

artists; to help develop the careers of young, emerging talent; and to offer clients not only outstanding works, but also the experience of its team in the fields of curating and consultancy.

The Terminal 5 Expo Art Gallery is situated in the landside departure hall of Terminal 5 by the First Class Lounge and is open daily 8:00am to 8:00pm. “The gallery was developed as part of the BAA Expo cultural programme

for Heathrow,” says Alex Prior, gallery manager. “Feedback so far has hugely exceeded expectations both from clients and passengers at the terminal.”

For much of 2012 the gallery has been focusing on showcasing artworks by both internationally established and emerging British artists. During the Olympic and Paralympic Games the work focused on themes of sport and the athletes who devote their lives to it. n

Expo Fine Art Gallery

AIRPORT: Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5ARTIST: Various artists

the art of seduction

Airport art is increasing in popularity as facilities aim to offer passengers a calming moment of reflection. PTW takes a look at installations from around the world that stand out from the crowd

MAIN IMAGE: Marie Boyle’s To Truly Soar, One Must First UnfurlABOVE: Michael Spellers Momentum

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LEFT AND RIGHT: The Random Album series by visual artist Bo Haglund and ceramic fantasy sculptures by sculptor Kim Simonssonn

In spring 2012, Finavia, the Finnish airport operator,

launched a new art gallery concept at Helsinki Airport called Art Port. The concept includes various galleries such as Art Gallery, Design Gallery, Photo Gallery and Fashion Gallery. The galleries are open for all passengers 24/7 and are free of charge. “We believe that Art Port galleries are a step towards a new airport milieu concept and they enhance the travelling experience,” says Annika Kåla, communications manager, Finavia Corporation. “They contribute to a pleasant atmosphere and offer a chance to relax.”

Art Port Galleries evolve and change according to current events and the passengers’ needs. “The main exhibitions are structured in

a manner that enables passenger interaction,” adds Kåla.

In the Art Gallery, the Random Album exhibition from visual artist Bo Haglund and ceramic fantasy sculptor Kim Simonsson aims to connect family photo albums, online discussions, fantasy worlds, and the universe, with the present moment. This gallery is located at Gate 37.

The design gallery at Gate 11 currently has the Sit down and seize the moment exhibition, focusing on Finnish chair design. The Photo Gallery exhibition, A moment in Helsinki, introduces Katja Hagelstam’s fabulous art photography at Gate 26. Paola Suhonen, a leading designer of the Fenno-Slavic style and original patterns, is introduced in the Fashion

Gallery at Gate 31. n

Art PortAIRPORT: Helsinki AirportARTIST: Various designers and artists

The McNamara Tunnel was designed by The Smith Group and connects two

concourses beneath the tarmac. It is constructed from curved glass panels with abstract art sandblasted into the back to create a mural on both sides that runs the length of the terminal.

Marcus Wuebker from Luminative Design then added lighting to the tunnel and Victor

Alexeef composed music for a light show, which lasts 27 minutes. The intent of the design was to serve as a respite for travellers hurrying from aircraft to aircraft while creating a memorable, immersive experience.

“The resulting design has been one that has had a great impact on travellers through the terminal,” says Jeff Gerwing, principal

and director of operations at SmithGroupJJR. “We have received numerous emails from passengers… who have described the impact that the tunnel design has had on them. One email described how the colourful, dynamic lighting caused this person to stop and realise that it is so important to slow down, soak up an experience, and enjoy it in that moment.” n

The McNamara Tunnel

AIRPORT: Detroit Metro AirportARTIST: The Smith Group

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AIRPORT ART 39

One art sculpture that has caused some controversy since it was

installed in February 2008 is Mustang at Denver International Airport. Mustang is a blue 10m-high cast-fibreglass piece by sculptor Luis Jiménez of a giant male horse. The sculpture is on the roadway approach to the terminal.

Over the years, Mustang has gained some interesting nicknames, including ‘Bluecifer’ and ‘Satan’s Stallion’ due to its ‘frightening’ appearance, and some spectators have even said the piece is cursed as artist Jiménez was killed in 2006 when a section of the 4,100kg fibreglass statue fell on him during construction (Jiménez’s two sons completed the piece).

However, according to the airport, Jiménez’s characteristic style references the grandeur of the Mexican muralists,

the energy of the South West and the bright colours he experienced as a youth in his father’s sign-making company. Supporters of the piece have also said that it is a sign of how Denver is unique in its courage to go beyond easy-listening-style airport art to soothe nerves.

Denver believes that Mustang is doing what art is supposed to do, and that is to attract attention. “Mustang has been a controversial piece, but we have no plans to move it or decommission it,” comments Jenny Schiavone, director of media relations at Denver International. “We love the conversations the piece inspires – that’s what art is supposed to do after all. We take the criticism with a grain of salt – for every person who doesn’t like the piece, there is another person who loves it. We’ve really embraced that about Mustang.” n

AIRPORT: Denver InternationalARTIST: Luis Jiménez

Mustang

ABOVE AND RIGHT: Harmonic Convergence, Miami International Airport. © 2011 PhenomenArts, Inc. Christopher Janney, artistic director. Image by Robin Hill

The Harmonic Convergence installation is a walkway that links a rental car terminal to Miami International. The walkway combines elements of light, colour and sound

to create a multisensory experience for everyone that walks through. The installation features a wide array of shades and has speakers playing sounds synonymous with Florida, such as tropical birds and thunderstorms. The sounds change according to the density of people, creating an intuitive relationship within the environment.

“I was trained as an architect and jazz musician,” says Christopher Janney. “Part of my work is trying to make architecture more like music – more alive. Harmonic Convergence is a good example of this philosophy. This is a ‘synaesthetic artwork’ using coloured glass/shadow and an interactive sound-score based on the environments indigenous to South Florida. In the end, I was attempting to create an immersive abstraction of South Florida in colour and sound.” n

Harmonic ConvergenceAIRPORT: Miami InternationalARTIST: Christopher Janney

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Slipstream

BELOW: Night Marauders by artist David Choe

AIRPORT: Heathrow Airport, Terminal 2ARTIST: Richard Wilson

LEFT: Slipstream by Richard Wilson.Curators Futurecity. Client Heathrow Ltd

Slipstream is an ambitious sculpture that combines precision engineering with the sense of velocity and movement of a stunt aircraft. The sculpture will fill

the length of Terminal 2’s Covered Court, twisting across the atrium’s columns and physically integrating with the architecture. At over 70m long and weighing 77 tonnes, it will be the longest permanent sculpture in Europe, and will appear to float through the atrium as though airborne when the terminal opens in 2014. The sculpture will be positioned between two walkways within the terminal and suspended up to 20m above the ground, creating a focal point for passengers.

Slipstream is designed to enhance the cultural experience of all passengers flying through the new terminal, an estimated 20 million people per year, making it one of the UK’s most viewed artworks. John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow’s commercial director, describes Slipstream as “an iconic piece of art that will bring to life the glamour and excitement of air travel, at the heart of a glamorous and exciting new Heathrow”. n

LeapAIRPORT: Sacramento International Airport, Terminal BARTIST: Lawrence Argent

Leap is situated in Terminal B at Sacramento International Airport and

features a giant red rabbit leaping into the terminal and into a suitcase on the floor of the baggage claim area. It was designed by Lawrence Argent and, according to the artist, “it represents the emotions associated with travel”.

“Airports are usually surrounded by cement or other buildings associated with passenger travel,” says Argent. “Sacramento is unique in that the architects have chosen to leave some of the grounds unoccupied by facilities and have incorporated an accessible landscaped space. With a mindset of integrating art in to the architecture and utilising the unique open/transparent aspect of the airport with the green space to the south, I thought it quite apt to bring the outside in. A rabbit appears to have leapt through the glass from the green space on the south side of the terminal and is diving into a suitcase that appears to have a liquid vortex opening on the top, which is situated on the floor of baggage claim.” n

Denver International Airport commissioned accomplished

street artists Sam Flores, David Choe, and Highraff to create a mural exhibition that will be on display in various airport locations over the course of the next few years (2012-2017). The artists each produced 30 x 2.5m murals to be used as construction barricades at the sites of ongoing airport improvement projects. The murals have been installed in two airport locations and are now on view to the travelling public. The Terminal Kings installations can currently be seen

on the walkway from the A Gates security checkpoint to the concourse, just past the bridge, and on the Jeppesen Terminal train platform.

The murals were created on movable panels, resulting in a unique, mobile exhibition that can be modified and adjusted to various forms and sizes. The exhibition is meant to be fluid and easily changeable, with the potential to turn up anywhere in DIA’s buildings. Alongside the actual murals will be informational graphics, as well as a looping documentary video to continue telling the story of this unique and relevant visual and interactive experience.

“DIA is home to a robust public art programme featuring an array of media. We’re the gateway to Colorado and our region’s international reputation for world-class art is growing. Denver is home to countless museums and galleries and the airport’s art and culture programme is a reflection of that,” says Jenny Schiavone, director of media relations at the airport. n

AIRPORT: Denver InternationalARTIST: Sam Flores, David Choe and Highraff

Terminal Kings

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42 AIRPORT ART

RIGHT: Situated in Concourse E at Hartsfield-Jackson, Corncorde was inspired by Concorde

AIRPORT: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta InternationalARTIST: Craig Nutt

CorncordeOn display in Hartsfield-Jackson Concourse E is a piece called Corncorde by Alabama artist Craig Nutt. The wood carving of a corn on the cob flying

in the air is part of Nutt’s ‘Flying Vegetable’ series.“Craig Nutt’s whimsical design, impeccable craftsmanship and placement

results in a piece of public art that does not go unnoticed,” says David Vogt, art program manager at the airport. “The elegant contours of an airplane are mimicked in this huge flying ear of corn. The work was inspired by the supersonic jet Concorde and is a continuation of the artist’s work transforming vegetables into sculptures and functional pieces of furniture.” n

Kinetic RainAIRPORT: Singapore Changi Airport, Terminal 1ARTIST: ART+COM

Kinetic Rain is the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture and is

situated at Singapore Changi Airport in the check-in hall in Terminal 1. It consists of two separate pieces installed several metres apart and constructed from 1,216 bronze droplets that transform into 16 shapes, including an aeroplane, hot air balloon, kite, dragon and flock of birds. Each droplet is connected to motors installed in the ceiling of the departure check-in hall that contain a high-precision rotary encoder, which keeps track of the exact position of each droplet. A computer program is used to control the movement of the droplets to form Kinetic Rain’s unique shapes and patterns, which change every 15 minutes.

“Prior to the installation of Kinetic Rain, there were discussions about a suitable feature that will be most appropriate for Terminal 1,” says Ivan Tan, senior vice president, corporate

and marketing communications, Changi Airport Group. “It had to be something that was visually arresting, aesthetically pleasing, and a statement feature that came with its own identity. We wanted an art installation that evokes both excitement and curiosity among passengers. With Kinetic Rain, we believe we have found the perfect blend of art and technology to capture the spirits of community and innovation that define Changi.” n

BELOW: Kinetic Rain. Image © Changi Airport Group

Investing huge sums of money into something that doesn’t have any measurable cost or time benefits can seem a bit frivolous, but airport managers around the world can see the clear advantages of art installations. It’s all about improving the passenger experience and helping to reduce the stress of travelling.

“Like lush landscaping, art installations can go a long way to softening the hard feel of an airport terminal building,” says Ivan Tan, senior vice president, corporate and marketing communications, Changi Airport Group. “Changi is one of the busiest air hubs in the world, with a record 46.5 million passengers passing through in 2011. Not only do we want to ensure that all passengers enjoy a pleasant and hassle-free passage through the facility, it is also important to provide them with a warm and inviting airport experience through the different facilities – including art installations – in the airport.”

Hartsfield-Jackson’s art programme manager, David Vogt agrees, saying that public artwork is a sound investment as it truly enhances the passenger’s experience at the airport. “We feel our artwork helps to create a memorable sense of place that highlights the airport,” says Vogt. “The city of Atlanta is a destination that cares for the arts and provides passengers with meaningful and fun ways to spend their free time.”

Jeff Gerwing principal and director of operations, at architecture and engineering firm, SmithGroupJJR also sees the benefits of art: “It is often the little things that make life special. That is what architecture or art can be. As designers, when we hear of these experiences, it makes it all worth it for us.”

Why do airports invest in art?