Ruth Haines
Airports are increasingly becoming hubs for impressive art collections, with terminals transforming into world-class exhibition sites. Art in airports serves multiple purposes, from providing entertainment and comfort for anxious travellers to creating a sense of place and individuality for the airport. Airports like Denver International Airport, San Diego International Airport, and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport have embraced the idea of showcasing art, offering rotating exhibitions, permanent displays, and even art walks for non-ticketed passengers. These art programmes not only enhance the airport experience but also give travellers a glimpse into the local culture and history.
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What You'll Learn
Art in airports aims to comfort, distract and entertain anxious travellers
Art in airports serves multiple purposes, from comforting and distracting anxious travellers to showcasing a region's culture and creativity. Airports, often generic and stressful, are transformed by art, offering entertainment and a sense of individuality to the airport and the wider community.
Art can be a welcome distraction for travellers facing delays or endless security lines. It can provide a space to unwind and, as Salt Lake City International Airport's Director of Communication and Marketing, Nancy Volmer, notes, "airport art exhibits provide an enjoyable way to spend time learning more about the culture of a community". Art can also help with wayfinding, as seen in San Diego International Airport's sculpture, "The Journey", which guides travellers to their gates.
Airports have become showcases for diverse artistic expressions, from sculptures and paintings to light installations and rotating exhibitions. These artworks can be found in terminals, concourses, and even baggage claim areas, surprising and delighting travellers. For example, Boston artist Echelman's piece in the San Francisco International Airport features cut-outs in the roof, allowing natural sunlight to cast coloured shadows on the floor, creating a unique experience.
Additionally, art in airports can garner media attention and provide shareable moments for travellers on social media platforms like Instagram. Denver International Airport's Blue Mustang (aka Blucifer) by artist Luis Jiménez is one such example. Art also creates a sense of place and can enhance the environment for both travellers and staff, fostering a sense of community and offering a respite from the monotony of travel or daily work routines.
The presence of art in airports underscores its ability to comfort, distract, and entertain anxious travellers, enhancing their overall airport experience and leaving them with lasting memories.
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Airports are becoming stewards of impressive art collections
Airports have long been associated with generic architecture and monotonous routines. However, this is changing as airports are increasingly becoming stewards of impressive art collections, transforming their terminals into world-class exhibition spaces. Airports like Denver International Airport, famous for its public art, offer walking tours for non-ticketed passengers to explore its renowned permanent and temporary art exhibits. The airport also showcases a 9000-pound, 32-foot-tall blue horse sculpture called "Blue Mustang" and paintings by muralist Leo Tanguma.
San Diego International Airport's Arts Program Manager, Lauren Lockhart, highlights how art can provide helpful navigation and intrigue travellers enough to put down their phones and appreciate their surroundings. Art also serves as a source of entertainment for exhausted parents and their irritable kids, offering a welcome distraction from travel-related stress and delays. Additionally, art installations can fill vast spaces in terminals without impeding travellers' movements. For instance, Alice Aycock's "The Game of Flyers Part Two" at Washington Dulles International Airport is an attention-grabbing ceiling installation that doesn't interfere with the flow of travellers below.
Airports are embracing art as a means to create a sense of place and tell the story of their cities. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport features a permanent exhibit, "A Walk Through Atlanta's History," which showcases the city's history from its early settlement by native people to the present day. Philadelphia International Airport boasts a captivating bird formation installation, "Impulse," created by Ralph Helmick and Stuart Schechter, consisting of over 6,750 cast pewter models of various bird species.
Through their art initiatives, airports are providing cultural experiences for travellers and local communities alike. Denver International Airport's Great Hall Program includes rotating exhibitions throughout the terminal and concourses, showcasing local artists and organisations. Airports are also turning to collection management systems, such as Artwork Archive, to promote and preserve their valuable art investments, ensuring that their displays remain fresh and engaging for travellers seeking artistic enrichment during their journeys.
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Art in airports can help to promote a sense of place
Art can give an airport a unique identity and individuality. For instance, Chicago O'Hare's "Sky's the Limit" by Michael Hayden is a 745-foot tunnel lit by a mile of neon tubes, amplified by mirrors to make the sculpture feel larger as passengers use moving walkways. Similarly, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport features a 450-foot ceiling installation called "Flight Paths", which casts a rave-like atmosphere over an otherwise dull hallway.
Airports can showcase local art and culture, giving travellers a taste of the community outside. Local artists serve as cultural ambassadors, reflecting the unique culture of a place. For example, Rhode Island's T.F. Greene and Block Island airports solicit artwork from local artists every year. Airports can also collaborate with local cultural institutions, such as museums, to benefit both parties. Sydney Airport's installation, "United Neytions", was a collaboration with the city's Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA).
Art can also help to activate spaces in airports, such as in Memphis International Airport, which is building two new concourses and using art to bring them to life. Art can be used to fill vast spaces in airport terminals, such as ceiling installations, without impeding fast-moving travellers. Alice Aycock's "The Game of Flyers Part Two" in Washington Dulles International Airport suspends aluminium, fibre optics, LED lights, and neon high above people's heads in an asymmetrical spread reminiscent of flight.
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Art exhibitions give travellers time and space to unwind
Airports are increasingly becoming hubs for impressive art collections and exhibitions. With their large atriums, endless corridors, and captive travellers, they are a perfect venue for art installations. Art exhibitions in airports serve multiple purposes, from providing entertainment and comfort to anxious travellers to creating a sense of place and individuality for the airport.
Many airports have recognized the benefits of art exhibitions and have implemented art programs to enhance the customer experience. For example, the Denver International Airport offers rotating exhibitions throughout its terminals and concourses, featuring local artists and organizations. The Philadelphia International Airport, established in 1998, also has a mix of permanent and rotating exhibits, aiming to introduce travellers to a taste of Philadelphia's art scene.
Art exhibitions in airports can take many forms, including sculptures, paintings, light installations, and digital photography. Some airports, like Chicago O'Hare, feature interactive pieces that perk up weary travellers, such as "Sky's the Limit" by Michael Hayden, a 745-foot tunnel lit by neon tubes and mirrors. Others, like San Diego International Airport, use art to provide helpful navigation, with pieces that intuitively guide travellers to their gates or other amenities.
In addition to providing a respite for travellers, art exhibitions in airports can also benefit the airport staff. Lauren Lockhart, San Diego International Airport's Arts Program Manager, shares that art exhibitions can instill pride and ownership in one's place of work. Art exhibitions give staff a sense of responsibility and a connection to the airport, improving their overall job satisfaction.
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Art in airports can help to promote a city's culture
Art in airports can provide a welcome distraction for anxious travellers, helping to calm and entertain them amid the stress of their journey. As such, airports are increasingly turning to art to promote and preserve their investments.
Art can showcase the culture of the local area, acting as a cultural ambassador. Airports are often the first welcome to a community that visitors, prospective employees, or investors receive, so art can be a great way to promote a city's culture to a wide audience. For instance, the Denver International Airport features rotating exhibitions by local artists to create a sense of place for travellers and staff.
Airports also collaborate with local cultural institutions like museums, benefiting from their expertise while providing resources to these institutions. For example, the Pittsburgh City Paper published an article highlighting the Pittsburgh International Airport's Arts and Culture Program. Local artists are featured in airports, such as in Salt Lake City International Airport, which uses signage and QR codes to guide visitors to exhibits showcasing the works of local artists and their significance to the city's arts community.
Art can also help travellers navigate the airport, with sculptures or paintings acting as landmarks to guide travellers to their gates. The Journey, an art installation at San Diego International Airport, helps guide travellers to their gates. Art can also garner media attention, as seen with Denver International Airport's Blue Mustang (aka Blucifer) by artist Luis Jiménez.
Art in airports can thus promote a city's culture by entertaining and calming travellers, showcasing local talent, and providing a memorable experience that reflects the culture of the surrounding community.
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Frequently asked questions
Airport art can be found in many airports across the US, including San Diego International Airport, Denver International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport.
Airports often feature a mix of permanent and rotating exhibits, including sculptures, paintings, light tunnels, and other installations. Some airports also offer dedicated art programs, such as the Public Art Program at DEN, which features over 30 artworks across the campus.
Airport art programs aim to enhance the customer experience by providing meaningful activities for passengers during layovers or early arrivals. Art can also help to create a sense of place, tell the story of the city in which the airport is located, and provide a welcome distraction for anxious or exhausted travelers. Additionally, art installations can serve as helpful navigation tools within the airport.
