Airport terminals have become impromptu art galleries for jaded tourists to admire and help create a sense of space. The art projects not only act as a destress for travellers to contemplate but offer a distraction to the endless hours of waiting on a layover or standing in security lines.
Indeed, a new award was introduced at the Skytrax World's Best Airports, with the Art in the Airport 2023 category. The winning airport was the Houston Airport System in recognition of the art standards across its two airports, William P. Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport.
Houston Airport System
For this award, the results were based on the Skytrax judging panel, not customer survey results. "We've thoughtfully invested in and curated works of art representative of our city and the greater global community we diligently work to serve," said Mario Diaz, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports.
The Houston Airport System has one of the largest collections of public art in the aviation industry. Placed throughout the airport's terminals A, B and C, and grounds, artworks include everything from sculptures to photographs, predominantly by Texas-based artists. It presently has 350 permanent artworks.
Recently, Houston announced it would display famous art cars in collaboration with the Orange Show, providing passengers with a delightful visual journey that captures the spirit of Houston's eclectic artistic community.
Art cars have been a Houston institution since 1986 when the first art car parade was held with just 11 vehicles. It has grown to be the largest art car parade in the world, featuring hundreds of entries. Thanks to its partnership with the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, a few art cars are always on display.
At George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport, visitors can find the art car in the Terminal A Ticketing Lobby. The car is a tribute to Freddie Mercury, the legendary lead singer of the rock band Queen. Mercury died of bronchial pneumonia in 1991. It features a statue of Mercury on the roof, wearing his famous yellow jacket and branding a British flag. Mercury was a Houston icon thanks to a stop at The Summit in 1980 when he sang "We Will Rock You" sitting on the shoulders of a man dressed as Darth Vader from Star Wars.
Hamad International, Doha
The art displayed at Hamad International Airport in Doha also leaves a lasting impression on the millions of visitors and residents passing through the airport. It proves art can be enjoyed far beyond the confines of a gallery or a museum.
Local and regional artists display their public art around the airport. Qatari artist Ali Hassan has produced an iconic Desert Horse sculpture fusing classical techniques with abstraction, which is positioned just outside of the airport building.
Ahmed Al Bahrani, an Iraqi artist based in Qatar, displays A Message of Peace to the World in collaboration with Reach Out To Asia. The large-scale cube represents a formula designed to highlight how investment in economic security and education equates to the well-being of children.
London-based Iraqi artist Dia Al Azzawi, who had a retrospective of his work with Qatar Museums, sculpted the Flying Man. The sculptures are based on the story of Abu Firnas, a historical figure from the Islamic world who was an early pioneer in experimenting with flight. Through these sculptures, Al Azzawi creates a monument to celebrate travelling in the modern age.
Other local and regional artists whose art is showcased around the airport include Mohammed Aljaida, Amal Al Raban, Salman Al Malik, Mubarak Al Malik, Amal Alatham and Yousif.
Singapore Changi
Art is also on view at Singapore Changi Airport. Made up of 1,216 bronze droplets, the Kinetic Rain sculpture in Terminal 1 is one of the favourites among Changi Airport's collection of art installations and displays. Measuring 9.8m by 4m, each sculpture can form 16 different shapes ranging from the abstract to the familiar, such as an aeroplane, a hot air balloon, and even a dragon. Each shape elucidates the movement of flight through deliberate, fluid movements.
Created over 20 months, Kinetic Rain comprises 180g of copper-plated aluminium droplets, of which choreography is controlled by a set of high precision motors. The project is the brainchild of artists, programmers and technologists who analysed space, passenger flow, and the bustle of activity at the airport to create an artwork that enhances the identity of Terminal 1.
With more than a thousand 'raindrops' working together in harmony, Kinetic Rain also symbolises the members of the airport community collaborating to provide a Positively Surprising Changi experience for passengers and visitors.
Art cannot only surprise but inspire – even when you are on the move. So take a look around you when you are next at an airport, and you may be surprised by what you find.
World's Best Art in the Airport 2023
- Houston Airport System
- Doha Hamad
- Mumbai
- Singapore Changi
- Terminal B, LaGuardia Airport
- Vancouver
- Amsterdam Schiphol
- Seoul Incheon
- Rome Fiumicino
- San Francisco
Andy Probert is an independent journalist based in Turkey. He writes about travel, aviation, new tech and business. His work has appeared on the BBC, in The Daily Telegraph, Hurriyet Daily News and other newspapers worldwide.
