Airport art

Reassurance from a robot at Pittsburgh Int’l Airport

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As the COVID-19 crisis continues, airlines are grounding aircraft and cutting flight schedules. And fewer and fewer travelers are passing through airports.

But in most cities airports are considered essential facilities. So they remain open.

One example: Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), which must stay open not only for the remaining commercial flights currently flying, but because it is home to two military bases: U.S. Air Force and Pennsylvania National Guard.

Anyone passing through PIT airport right now will find it quieter than usual.

But they might notice something different in the art installation known as “Fraley’s Robot Repair.”

Toby Fraley/Blue Sky PIT

Atticus Fraley created this storefront robot repair shop and sometimes makes changes to the items inside.

His most recent addition was to give a robot a hand-lettered sign with an inspirational message for this stressful time:

It says: “Dear Humans, you CAN do this – Robot.”

Let’s hope so!

Let’s all go to the movies – at Miami International Airport

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Miami International Airport (MIA) offers a quarterly screening series featuring contemporary art and image-making by South Florida-based video artists.

On view now near Gate J7 is a series of short experimental films and video art addressing themes of migration, travel, and journeys that are both physical and surreal. The work on view is by artists Carola Bravo, Claudio Marcotulli and Dinorah de Jesús Rodríguez.

Here’s a video of Migration Dreams #3, from Carola Bravo’s series of video art inspired by The Migration Series and Bravo’s own history as a Venezuelan immigrant.

Claudio Marcotulli’s feature, Remo Memories is an avant-doc short film about a journey through childhood, memory, and water.

And Casas viajantes, by Dinorah de Jesús Rodríguez, mixes handmade celluloid film with digital video and includes footage of the artist’s family’s immigration journey.

Art-filled Delta Sky Club at New Orleans Int’l Airport

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Artwork by Skylar Fein

Planning a trip to New Orleans?

Lucky you!

New Orleans is a popular destination for both leisure and business travelers and the old airport terminal didn’t do the city justice.

Now there’s a gorgeous new terminal at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). And right now the only club lounge open is the Delta Sky Club.

The all-access Club at MSY should open early next year and a United Airlines club lounge is promised in 2020.

Stuck at The Airport stopped into the Delta Sky Club during an opening day tour of the airport. We are delighted to report that in addition to all the features you’d expect in a lounge (comfortable seating and lots of outlets) the 2nd-floor lounge definitely celebrates the New Orleans vibe and culture.

The menu includes regionally inspired snack and meals, including oysters, gumbo and muffuletta sandwiches. Of course, the bar menu includes local beers and cocktails.

And all the artwork is by Louisiana artists.

Delta was kind enough to share images of the artwork. Here are a few more of our favorites.

By Skylar Fein
Artwork by Kelly Mcgee
Artwork by Kelly Mcgee
Artwork by Masy Chighizola

Stay tuned for more details about the amenities at the new terminal at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). Next up: all the food!

Travel Tidbits from Miami International Airport

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There seems to be a lot going on at Miami International Airport.

Some lucky passengers were treated to a pop-up tango performance:

A new exhibit, titled Imprinted, featuring 16 images by Argentine photographer Marina Font, is on display at MIA’s  gates D-22 and D-25, through February 18, 2020.

Marina Font – Dos Mundos

Font photographs objects that evoke a particular place or personal history to explore ideas about identity, gender, territory, language and memory

suitcase photo
Marina Font – untitled suitcase series

And MIA recently showed off its new $324-million state-of-the-art, fully automated baggage handling system.

The system can screen and transport more than 7,000 bags an hour, which doubles the speed and efficiency of baggage screening and delivery for flights in MIA’s Central and South terminals.

Guitars at Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Airport

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A cool new exhibit about guitars is underway at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

Phoenix is home to the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery and right now passengers traveling through Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport are being treated to an exhibit featuring nine hand-crafted guitars, including both acoustic and electric style.

Exhibition highlights include Scott Walker’s hand-painted “patina” guitar (above), which has wood body that resembles oxidized metal. Also on display: an unusual 26-string harp-guitar by William Eaton and an electric mandolin by Joe Vallee, whose instruments are collected by prominent musicians like Steve Miller.

Visitors to the PHX Airport Museum exhibit will also find displays of the guitar-making process. Parts of a guitar are presented in an exploded view showing how a guitar is constructed. And the various stages of shaping the wood components of a guitar are explained.

Exploded view of an acoustic guitar, courtesy of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery

Phoenix Airport Museum’s exhibition, Shaping Sound: The Art of Guitar Making, is on view in two display cases at Terminal 4, level 2 near ticketing through May 2020. 

The 30-year old Phoenix Airport Museum has more than 900 pieces in its collection. The museum presents exhibits featuring both items from the collection and from area artists in several galleries throughout the airport.