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Tampa International Airport in Florida is home to a 21-foot-tall flamingo sculpture named Phoebe. The sculpture, titled Home, was created by artist Matthew Mazzota and depicts a flamingo as it dips its head beneath the water's surface. The immersive installation invites travellers to walk up and share a moment in the life of Florida's famous bird. The giant flamingo is located in the Main Terminal of the airport and has become a popular attraction, with travellers flocking to take photos with it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport | Tampa International Airport |
| Sculpture name | HOME |
| Flamingo name | Phoebe |
| Height | 21 feet |
| Artist | Matthew Mazzota |
| Location | Main Terminal, near The Shoppes at Bayshore |
| Installation type | Immersive |
| Other artworks at the airport | Aaron Stephan’s “Paths Rising," |
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What You'll Learn
Tampa International Airport's flamingo sculpture is named Phoebe
Tampa International Airport is now home to a 21-foot-tall flamingo sculpture named Phoebe. The sculpture, titled 'HOME', was installed in the center of the airport's Main Terminal in 2022. Created by artist Matthew Mazzotta, the sculpture depicts a flamingo as it gently dips its head beneath the water's surface, an illusion created using metal panels and lighting attached to the ceiling. The immersive installation invites viewers to walk up and share a moment in the life of one of Florida's most iconic birds.
The flamingo sculpture is meant to be interactive, with viewers encouraged to touch it and fully immerse themselves in the flamingo's habitat. The artwork has garnered national and international attention and was chosen from over 700 art proposals submitted from around the world. The airport commissioned the piece from Mazzotta for $520,000.
The name Phoebe was chosen through a community contest, with the airport announcing the winning name after tallying more than 37,000 votes. The name beat out finalists Cora and Finn, and the winner, a 63-year-old retired educator, received free flights. The name has risen in popularity in recent decades, with 1235 babies named Phoebe in 2021, representing 0.069% of total female births.
Phoebe, the beloved flamingo statue, has also received recognition beyond the airport. In 2023, the sculpture was nominated for a major international public art award, the People's Choice CODAaward, hosted by CODAworx, an online platform celebrating commissioned artists and public artwork. Phoebe was among the 100 artwork and design projects chosen by a jury from a global pool of submissions.
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The sculpture is 21 feet tall and lives in the Main Terminal
The Tampa International Airport is home to a 21-foot-tall flamingo sculpture named Phoebe, which lives in the Main Terminal. The sculpture, titled "Home", is the creation of artist Matthew Mazzota and was installed in late April or early May 2022. It is an immersive installation that invites travellers to walk up and share a simple moment in the life of one of Florida's most well-known birds.
Phoebe's head, neck, and legs are positioned near The Shoppes at Bayshore in the centre of the Main Terminal. The sculpture is designed to give the illusion of a flamingo gently dipping its head underwater, with metal panels and lighting attached to the ceiling to create this effect. The giant bird is meant to be interactive, with visitors encouraged to touch the sculpture and fully immerse themselves in the flamingo's habitat.
The name Phoebe was chosen through a public contest held by the airport, receiving over 65,000 entries and narrowing it down to three finalists: Cora, Finn, and Phoebe. The winning entry, submitted by Bryan M., a 63-year-old retired educator, explained that "Phoebe" is a playful alliteration for "flamingo" and means "brilliantly inquisitive". It is also a play on the scientific name for flamingo, "Phoenicopterus".
The Tampa International Airport's giant flamingo has become a famous landmark, greeting thousands of travellers and posing for countless photos. In addition to Phoebe, the airport also boasts other impressive works of art, such as Aaron Stephan's "Paths Rising", composed of over 600 ladders set inside a light well, suggesting a portal to what lies beyond.
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It was created by artist Matthew Mazzota
Tampa International Airport is home to a 21-foot-tall flamingo sculpture, named Phoebe. The sculpture, titled "Home", is the creation of artist Matthew Mazzotta. It is an immersive installation that invites travellers to share a simple moment in the life of one of Florida's most well-known birds. The sculpture is made of metal panels and lighting, creating the illusion of a flamingo gently dipping its head underwater.
Mazzotta's artwork has garnered national and international attention. It is meant to be interactive, with visitors encouraged to touch the sculpture and fully immerse themselves in the flamingo's habitat. The giant bird's head, neck, and legs are placed near The Shoppes at Bayshore in the centre of the airport's main terminal.
The sculpture was first announced in February 2020 after approval by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority's Board of Directors. Its completion was slated for late April or early May 2022. Leading up to its debut, the artwork generated excitement as a new signature feature of the airport, which is known for its intuitive design and convenience.
In early 2023, the airport held a naming contest for the sculpture, receiving more than 65,000 entries and narrowing it down to three finalists: Cora, Finn, and Phoebe. The winning name, Phoebe, was submitted by Bryan M., a 63-year-old retired educator. It is a playful alliteration of "flamingo" and means "brilliantly inquisitive", reflecting the bird's curious nature as it hunts for food in the shallows.
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The sculpture is titled Home
The sculpture is titled "Home". Standing at 21 feet tall, it is a majestic sight, greeting travellers passing through Tampa International Airport (TPA). Created by artist Matthew Mazzotta, the sculpture depicts a flamingo—a bird native to Florida—as it gracefully dips its head underwater in search of food. This immersive installation invites viewers to step into the flamingo's habitat, encouraging interaction and offering a unique perspective on the bird's inquisitive nature.
The giant flamingo, named Phoebe, is a beloved addition to the airport's public art collection. The name was chosen through a contest held by the airport, with "Phoebe" submitted by Bryan M., a retired educator. It is a playful allusion to the bird's scientific name, Phoenicopterus, and captures the essence of the sculpture's inquisitive nature.
"Home" is a fitting title for this artwork, reflecting the idea of Florida being home to these majestic birds. The sculpture's immersive design, with metal panels and lighting, creates an underwater illusion, drawing viewers into the flamingo's world. This unique artwork has garnered national and international acclaim, recognised as a signature feature of the airport.
The process of bringing "Home" to life began in February 2020 when the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority's Board of Directors approved the project. The installation of the flamingo's head, neck, and legs was completed in March 2022, with the full completion targeted for late April or early May of the same year.
More than just an aesthetic feature, "Home" serves as an educational tool, offering travellers a glimpse into the natural habitat and behaviour of flamingos. It stands as a testament to the power of art in public spaces, enhancing the airport's environment and providing a memorable experience for visitors.
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It is one of many pieces of artwork at the airport
Tampa International Airport is home to a 21-foot-tall flamingo sculpture named Phoebe. The sculpture, titled "Home", is one of many pieces of artwork at the airport.
Phoebe was chosen through a naming contest held by the airport, which received over 65,000 entries. The name is a playful alliteration of the bird's scientific name, Phoenicopterus, and means "brilliantly inquisitive", reflecting the flamingo's curious nature as it hunts for food in the shallows.
The sculpture, created by artist Matthew Mazzota, is located in the Main Terminal near The Shoppes at Bayshore. It is designed to be interactive, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the flamingo's habitat. The artwork depicts a flamingo dipping its head underwater, an illusion created through the use of metal panels and lighting.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is known for its impressive public art collection. In addition to Phoebe, the airport features "Paths Rising" by Aaron Stephan, a piece composed of over 600 ladders set inside a light well, suggesting a portal to what lies beyond. TPA also boasts 100 other artwork and design projects, including murals, sculptures, digital displays, and immersive spaces.
The giant flamingo has garnered national and international attention and was even nominated for a major international public art award. It has become a signature feature of the airport, greeting thousands of travellers and providing a unique and memorable experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Tampa International Airport (TPA) in Florida has a 21-foot-tall flamingo sculpture named Phoebe in its main terminal.
The name of the giant flamingo is Phoebe, which was chosen through a naming contest held by the airport. The name is a playful alliteration and a reference to the inquisitiveness of the bird.
The sculpture, officially titled "Home," was created by artist Matthew Mazzota.
