Airport operators are investing more time, budget, and effort in connecting with passengers through art in all its forms. Wise Traveller gives its members a heads-up on what's happening where.
Salt Lake Arts
The $5.2 billion revamp of Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) features a host of unique artistic elements aimed at enhancing the travel experience for passengers while acknowledging Utah's unique natural environment and cultural heritage.
It will feature an immersive art installation called "The River Tunnel" in its 1,000-foot-long Central Tunnel, connecting concourses A and B, designed by artist Gordon Huether.
The artwork, designed to evoke the natural beauty of Utah's rivers and canyons, features a monochromatic blue aesthetic, with terrazzo flooring, blue walls, ceiling, and lighting, all fabricated with a membrane sculpture of individual fins made from aluminium frames wrapped in fabric.
Huether's largest art installation, titled "The Canyon," is integrated on both walls of the new airport terminal. The Canyon evokes the Salt Lake City landscape. It spans 362 feet, using 2.5 acres of composite fabric and the equivalent of seven miles of aluminium tubing. The entire work consists of 412 individual tensile membrane fins.
Additional installations include the "Column Plates" and an 80-foot-tall escalator well sculpture titled "The Falls." The sculptural Column Plates are made of composite material and create a visual distinction for the various activities taking place in the open space.
Northern Light will greet airport guests exiting the Central Tunnel into Concourse B at the end of The Canyon 2.0. Constructed from 500 hand-drawn glass rods and 300 dichroic glass panels, Northern Light is supported by a stainless-steel framework weighing 5,000 pounds and pays homage to The Falls, harnessing the same vibrant hues and dynamic light interactions.
Colour Me Bahrain
Bahrain International Airport has unveiled new artwork from leading stained glass artist Sir Brian Clarke. Titled Concordia, the 34m x 17m tall work appears as a symbol of Bahrain's "openness, hospitality and ambition," commented Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy of Bahrain.
The handcrafted stained glass was created in Germany by five skilled artisans, with 21 people contributing to the project, which took nearly three years to complete. The 127 glass panels were then installed at the airport in 43 days.
Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Yousif AlBinfalah: "This installation not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of our terminal but underscores our commitment to celebrating art and culture as part of the passenger experience at Bahrain International Airport. Art in public spaces, especially in a hub like our airport, plays a vital role in connecting people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.”
Sir Brian Clarke, often referred to as the "father of modern stained glass," has created iconic works for architectural landmarks worldwide, including collaborations with Zaha Hadid and Norman Foster.
His piece for Bahrain Airport draws inspiration from the interplay of light and colour, creating a dynamic visual experience for travellers. The design is a stunning fusion of Eastern and Western art, symbolizing Bahrain's role as a cultural crossroads. Drawing inspiration from his visits to Fez, Morocco, it incorporates intricate Islamic geometric patterns. The artwork also features natural elements, such as jasmine flowers, dragonflies, and hawks, reflecting Bahrain's unique landscape.
Lima On My Mind
The official opening of the new passenger terminal at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima marks a new chapter in the airport's association with Peru's art movement, celebrating the nation's cultural heritage.
Artistic installations representing the country's coast, mountains and rainforest, created in partnership with local artists, are featured throughout. With more than 8,000 sqm of restaurant space, José Salmon, CEO of Lima Airport Partners, described the terminal as "the heartbeat of Peru."
He highlighted the airport's potential to generate around 120,000 jobs, stimulate economic growth, and support the recovery of tourism across the region.
Hong Kong's Art Storage
Hong Kong’s international airport will feature a temperature-controlled art facility as part of a "comprehensive system for family offices" in the city, said Jason Fong, the global head of family office at InvestHK, a government department responsible for foreign direct investment.
The facility is part of a comprehensive ecosystem for family offices to establish in Hong Kong. Fong said: "Many wealthy families have collected art to establish their family legacy. This will allow them to store their collection in a secure and temperature-controlled facility."
Lok Yim, regional head of global private banking for Asia-Pacific at HSBC, said that a comprehensive art storage facility with accessible, high-quality art logistics services near the airport is essential for elevating Hong Kong to become a top-tier art hub globally.
The Airport Authority Hong Kong has also announced plans for an airport city branded Skytopia. The development will feature a marina with a capacity of 500 berths, hotels, markets, and an indoor performance venue accommodating up to 20,000 people.
Flying Solo in Nashville
The Spring/Summer instalment of the Flying Solo series at Nashville International Airport has debuted, welcoming travellers to partake in an immersive artistic journey. The new exhibits showcase the works of talented Tennessee artists, including James Allen, William Arthur, Sean Coffey, Mark Flake, Dalia Garcia, and Blaine Steiner.
The Flying Solo series is a rotating art exhibit that offers art organizations and talented artists an opportunity to showcase their work each season. The artwork on display encompasses a wide spectrum, ranging from striking paintings and thought-provoking photographs to intricate blown-glass pieces, and offers travellers a genuine taste of Nashville's thriving arts scene.
Andy Probert is an independent journalist who writes about global travel news, airlines, airports, and business. His work has appeared globally on the BBC, and in many national newspapers and magazines.
