Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) in South Dakota is welcoming travelers with a temporary art exhibition, “The Science at SURF: Images from the Underground, Lead, SD.”
Located in the former site of the Homestake Gold Mine, SURF is now an underground research facility whose tagline tells us, “Scientists probe the depths of space to learn more about our place in the universe.”
The exhibit includes photographs snapped within the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) by SURF photographers Matthew Kapust and Stephen Kenny. Here’s a sampling.
Gloved hands work on delicate wiring in a cryostat.Geologists drill holes to extract core samples of rock.
If you’re traveling to or through Miami International Airport (MIA), take a minute to visit the airport’s CameraWork Gallery at Gates D22 and D25.
A new exhibit in that gallery features photographs of concrete structures in Miami and Havana that were designed by Cuban architects who fled the island after the Cuban Revolution.
The photographs are by Miami-based Cuban photographer Silvia Ros and portray sites such as the Miami Marine Stadium, Miami Dade College’s North and South campuses, and Havana’s legendary Nautical Club (Club Náutico).
Parque Jose Marti Stadium (1959-60). Photo courtesy of the artist.
On display through June 10, 2024, Connecting Concrete: Modernist Architecture from Havana to Miami is a collaboration between Ros and art director, designer, and writer Tim Hossler.
The exhibition features 12 architectural photographs taken in Havana, Cuba, and Miami, Florida, from 2015 to 2023. The photographs are grouped by city, with Havana images from Ros’s project Cuba Modern at D22 and Miami images from Concrete Miami at D25.
“Miami is well known for its beachside Art Deco, famous landmarks, MiMo motels, and the vital residential areas, but the relationships between Miami and Cuba are reflected in many significant buildings and environments,” said Ros. “These buildings deserve the honor of being acknowledged and documented, not only for their storied pasts but for future generations who may not have the opportunity to interact with these buildings as we have.”
Miami Marine Stadium (1964). Photo courtesy of the artist.
“Concrete architecture in Miami and Havana exudes a poetic beauty that transcends the utilitarian nature of the material,” said Hossler. “Though distinct in their cultural and historical backgrounds, these cities share a common thread of embracing concrete as a canvas for artistic expression.”
And the tunes start right at Nashville International Airport (BNA). There, live performances featuring all manner of musical styles, from traditional and contemporary country to rhythm and blues, jazz, pop, gospel, and bluegrass are presented on stages located near the A/B Waiting Lounge, the C/D Waiting Lounge, and in the Concourse C Food Court (beyond security).
If you’re headed that way, check out the BNA events calendar filled with live performances. And be sure to take a moment to listen up when you land.
(Photo above: Singer-songwriter Joe West, dubbed the “house band” for Nashville International Airport)
Fresh Art at Nashville International Airport
(Artist: DeShawn Lewis)
While you’re at Nashville International Airport, look for the art as well.
The Spring/Summer installment of the Flying Solo series at Nashville International Airport is on view through June 23, 2024, showcasing the works of talented Nashville artists including Daniel Arite, Sarah Clinton, Joel Keas, DaShawn Lewis, Josh MacLeod, Vanessa Sharp Multon, Tammy O’Connor, and Mary Ruden.
A new exhibition at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, CA celebrates the region’s musical legacy.
That OC Sound includes displays dedicated to famous musicians and bands, and two prominent musical instrument manufacturers, Fender and Rickenbacker.
Almost 50 bands and solo artists that got their start in Orange County – or at least have one member from the area – are featured in a large two-case display. Familiar names on the faux record covers in the exhibit include James Taylor, Cold War Kids, Atreyu, Social Distortion, and, No Doubt.
Orange County is home to Fender and Rickenbacker, two iconic guitar manufacturers.
The Rickenbacker factory is down the street from John Wayne Airport, and the factory loaned archival materials and brand-new instruments to the exhibit.
Two display cases include items on loan from local Fender collectors and the Leo Fender Museum, which is part of the Fullerton Museum Center, about 20 minutes from John Wayne Airport, in downtown Fullerton, CA.
That OC Sound exhibition at John Wayne Airport can be found in the Destination Gallery, pre-security on the upper Departures Level between Terminals B & C through May 1, 2024.
The sculpture is 21 feet tall and lives in TPA’s main terminal. The creation of artist Matthew Mazzota, the sculpture is officially titled “Home.” But thanks to a naming contest hosted by the airport last year, the big bird is now better known as Phoebe.
We finally got to meet Phoebe in person and have to say we are just wowed.
Aaron Stephan’s “Paths Rising,” in the Main Terminal walkway to SkyConnect Station, is composed of over 600 ladders set inside a light well and positioned to imply a portal to what lies beyond.
If you’re traveling through Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) over the holidays and are passing through Terminal 5 (T5) you’re in for an art-filled treat.
The installation of a $3.5 million public art commission featuring work by more than 20 Chicago artists is nearly complete and it’s pretty darn impressive.
Here is a selection of the works you’ll be able to see.
Above is a part of the piece titled a murmurationby Jina Valentine, which consists of 600 wall-mounted convex aluminum discs of varying sizes on view in the Passenger Level Concourse.
The artwork is a data visualization mapping over 200 years of immigration to the Illinois region. The color shifts as you move from one end of the piece to the other, illustrating the changes in immigration patterns over time.
Shinsekai Yori / From the New World (above), by Mayumi Lake is on view in the T5 International Arrivals Corridor.
Buffalo Chart at O’Hare, by Bernard Williams, is also in the International Arrivals Corridor.
And the Terminal Lobby Expansion (TLE) is a $608 million piece of that project.
The west side of the TLE opened in July, 2022. And now the east side of that section is set to open at the end of October.
This section delivers about 90,000 square feet of new space, access to the east subterranean walkway, and TSA’s Checkpoint 1, with eight screening lanes. .
Travelers through this new east side lobby area will also find large windows, terrazo flooring, bright blue tile frames for the entrances and exits, and new sculptures and murals.
Pasengers will also see an old friend.
While construction has been underway, the airport’s statue of Queen Charlotte was moved out the way and then taken offsite for a restoration and a repatina.
Now she’s back.
Last week, airport officials unveiled the refreshed 3,000-pound, 15-foot-tall bronze sculpture of Queen Charlotte, back on top of a 30-foot tall base.
The crown jewel in #CLTairport's Terminal Lobby Expansion is now unveiled. 👑 Since the Queen Charlotte statue installation in 1990, it has moved twice. Now it has reached its final destination inside the terminal lobby, which is only about 150 feet from her original location.… pic.twitter.com/XbzV1K2YBr
The Queen Charlotte statue is now in the center of the Queen’s Court, the name for the Terminal Lobby Expansion space. Queen’s Court is also home to Queen Charlotte’s Kitchen. This is CLT’s first pre-security sit-down dining option, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as wine, beer and cocktails.
How did the Queen Charlotte get to CLT?
In the late 1980’s a local group put up $250,000 to commission an airport sculpture to symbolize the city and greet CLT passengers.
Washington, D.C., artist Raymond Kaskey won the commission and his statue of Queen Charlotte was dedicated on Sept. 18, 1990.
For many years the statue stood on a fountain in an outdoor plaza between CLT’s hourly parkng decks. She’s been been moved around and taken off site for several years to accomodate airport construction.
Here’s a video of Raymond Kaskey talking about the getting the initial commission for the project and creating the sculpture.
New artwork to greet passengers at Salt Lake City Int’l Airport
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) already has several large-scale artworks by artist Gordon Huether, including the 400-foot Canyon (above).
Coming soon: the completion of his 90-foot outdoor art piece echoing the mountain peaks for which Utah is famous.
SFO Airport is celebrating Dia de Los Muertos
San Fransisco International Airport (SFO) is celebrating Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) with an altar, a mural, and live cultural performances through November 7 in Harvey Milk Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
In Harvey Milk Terminal 1, look for the “Tree of Life” altar created in partnership with the Mission Center for Cultural Arts, and feel free to add the names of your loved ones to the altar.
In Terminal 2, artist Adrian Arias will paint a mural titled “Ancestral Hummingbird with Moon,” influenced by his Peruvian background.
Celebrating Dia de los Muertos in Harvey Milk Terminal 1 with a beautiful altar created by the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts. Honor your loved ones – write their name on the notes and place it on the altar. #SFOCelebrates#DiaDeLosMuertos#FlySFOpic.twitter.com/Yc03HxdZ9Z
— San Francisco International Airport (SFO) ✈️ (@flySFO) October 18, 2023
Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal progressing nicely
We were proud to have @ACE_Fitzgerald make the first official drive up the Departures curb at our new terminal this morning. Along with PIT CEO Christina Cassotis, he gave the media a tour so everyone could see our incredible progress. See for yourself ⬇️ #airport#aviationnewspic.twitter.com/rACLzdrwZa
— Pittsburgh International Airport (@PITairport) October 16, 2023
Visitors will find display cases filled with large hanging quilts, unique quilted clothing, and a variety of quilts in different shapes and sizes. Look for quilts representing the city of Denver, celebrating Colorado’s natural beauty, and featuring aviation themes.
You’ll find “Perfect Patchwork” at Denver International Airport in Ansbacher Hall, near the A-Bridge security, and on level three of Concourse C.
On October 12, 2023, NASA plans to launch a spacecraft of the same name on a mission to Psyche.
The Psyche spacecraft should arrive at the Psyche asteroid sometime in 2029 and then orbit it for at least 26 months.
Courtesy NASA
Through early 2024, the Phoenix Airport Museum is presenting an exhibition inspired by the Psyche mission.
Psyche: Mission to a Metal World, presents a diverse range of artwork by students involved in Arizona State University’s Psyche-Inspired internship program.
Each year, the program accepts 16 undergraduate students from any university in the U.S. And through creative works, the students interpret the mission’s data, predict outcomes, and even develop science-fiction-based scenarios.
This new exhibit includes paintings, sculptures, animations, and more from the Psyche Inspired program.
Highlights include an animated, stop-motion “interview” with the Psyche satellite, a 6-foot-tall personified “asteroid robot” and vivid illustrations anticipating the asteroid’s surface. Visitors can also learn fun facts about Psyche and the NASA mission to visit it.
Look for this out-of-this-world exhibition, on display at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport in Terminal 3, level 2 near the security checkpoint through early 2024.
