When you think of famous art museums, it’s typically MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) in New York or LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) or the MFA (Museum of Fine Art) in Boston or even the AIC (Art Institute of Chicago). But how about ORD, DEN, MCO or PHL? If you’re a frequent traveler, you know exactly what we’re talking about.
The nation’s airports have changed over the years. It used to be a treat to just “fly through O’Hare.” Catch your plane and go. Maybe it’s because flying has become more involved (think security, connections, delays, etc.), that airports have made efforts to become more enjoyable places to spend a few extra hours. In addition to restaurants, bars and shopping, many airports have introduced exhibitions of local history, area culture, and art.
Not just art, but BIG ART; giant sculptures, murals, floor displays, even art that looks too real to be art, in addition to traditional oil paintings and watercolors. The next time you’re headed for the airport, check out their website for “art displays” and you’ll discover a whole new dimension to flying.
Here’s a brief collection of some of the finest airport art on display right now across the country. Just make sure to schedule your Airport Shuttle with us with some extra time to browse.
BWI (Baltimore-Washington International) offers the DC-area traveler a very unusual sight. Known for its seafood, the Maryland Blue Crab is honored here with the world’s largest stained glass sculpture, weighing over 500 pounds. Imagine Chagall at the seashore. It’s on Skywalk A overlooking security, so you can catch this crab on your first few steps into the airport. You can’t miss it.
BWI also officially added Baltimore native Thurgood Marshall to its name in honor of the first African American Justice on the Supreme Court, and there’s an entire exhibit devoted to him at the Concourse C Checkpoint C. There are several other galleries with rotating displays. See what else there is to see.
Denver International Airport has so many opportunities for enjoying art that you could probably spend all day traveling between the three terminal sections (“A, B and C Gates”, as the people mover audio track explains).
Once the Great Hall construction is finally completed, two interesting works will come back on display, “Children of the World Dream of Peace” and “America, Why I Love Her” will easily inspire the traveler in you. By the way, check out the sparkly new floor as you walk through the Great Hall; a special, rare local granite was used.
There are many installations throughout each concourse. Keep looking up, as the airport uses a lot of vertical space to showcase its art.
However, some truly splendid works are really outside the airport. There’s the giant, 32-ft. blue horse “Mustang” by Luis Jiménez on the roadway in and out that immediately gives you a Western state of mind. Then “Field of Air” by Ned Kahn, just outside the attached hotel/conference center, captures the action of blades of prairie grass in blushed aluminum that reacts to the wind.
The artwork at MCO is so unique and expansive that the airport slapped a trademark on the whole show—The Orlando Experience®. They feel all their artwork delivers an integral, cultural statement the worldly Orlando visitor will appreciate.
The MCO website details works by terminal, as well as outside, to make your search easy. Start with what’s under foot with four themed epoxy terrazzo floors designed by Scott Parsons, called Gardens — Space, Wellness, Tech and Fun. There’s also “Whaling Wall #10” by Robert Wyland, the famous sea life conservation muralist known for giant ocean creatures, this time manatees. But perhaps, the most eye-stopping display might be the life-sized “The Traveler” in Terminal A. It looks too real and familiar. You might even start talking to him.
For a long while, United’s high-arched Terminal One itself was an artistic gem, including the neon-sculptured ceiling over the walkway between Concourses B and C. But that’s just the beginning. There’s also a full-sized Brachiosaurus Dinosaur kids will love.
In Terminal Three Rotunda there’s the 35,000-piece mosaic “On the Wings of Water” to glide you to your flight. And recently completed will be new Terminal Five artwork showcasing $3.5 million worth of art to see. So take some extra time and explore all the Terminals at ORD. Post-security, you can walk between them and there’s a monorail that runs out to the Multi-Modal Center, where two giant hands reach out from the walls in a sculpture called “Reach.”
Tampa-St. Pete
St.Petersburg has come into its own as a Florida art Mecca lately, but before you even leave the airport (TPA), there are a few art installations worth a look.
Blink once, and you might think you’re under water catching a flamingo diving for food. That’s the effect artist Matthew Mazzotta was striving for in his 22-ft. tall sculpture called “Home.” Eye-level presents a larger than life flamingo head and stretched neck. Look above, and it looks like you’re actually under the water.
Throughout the airport there are other representations of birds, kites, and fish. There’s even a display of historical photos with 100-year old views of the area coastline and its development. For the latest info about what art is where, check the TPA site. But don’t miss the flamingo!
Located in the center of California, not too many people plan a trip that includes Sacramento. ’Tis a pity, because SAC is almost worth its own trip for the art exhibitions there. Covering both terminals, the airport offers 16 different works.
But, you can’t miss the giant red rabbit. Titled “Leap” by artist Lawrence Argent, this little bunny is over 50 feet tall and made to appear as if it’s leaping into the airport from above. Hope your flight’s in Terminal B, where it’s located. If not, you’ll just have to hop over to see it.
In addition to other flying-themed works, SAC also pays tribute to the ins and outs of airport life. Two pillars, called “Samson,” are created by 22 feet of luggage, ranging in age and style back to the very beginning of passenger flight. There’s also a giant photographic mural featuring real SAC baggage handlers.
Before you run off to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, spend a little time exploring PHL. You might be surprised; the airport actually has 20 different galleries covering 9 different terminal areas.
“It’s A Wrap 2” uses material from real life — tape, wood, wheat paste, fabric, yarn, you name it — in the hands of many local Philly artists, who were given the task of making Terminal A-East more visually interesting. They did.
There are also numerous references to Philadelphia’s role in our country’s history, all very artfully done. And, while you never think of Philadelphia as a city where movies are made, there’s a movie poster passageway starring Rockys I, II and III, Trading Places, Blow Out, Dressed To Kill and others.
Other ports
It seems every airport in the country is entering the art world. So, the next time you fly, don’t just buzz through security and run to your gate. Set aside a little time to take in the surroundings. You never know what you’ll find. You’ll discover great airport art in Las Vegas, Dulles, Honolulu even Midway Airport in Chicago (MDW). Los Angeles has its own entire program that changes every year, and all the New York area airports are getting ready for the reopening of JFK, which should heat up the competition for the airport art world.
Just keep your eyes open, in just about every airport served by GoWithUs.
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