INDIANAPOLIS' NEW AIRPORT TERMINAL
Sights for soaring eyes
Airport to settle Friday on 16 works of art
One of the largest artworks that will grace the new terminal at Indianapolis International Airport was conceived on a farm in the remote mountains of central Pennsylvania.
At a mill-turned-studio along the banks of the Susquehanna River, artist Rob Fisher, Bellefonte, Pa., sketched out "JetStream," a floating series of aluminum sculptures that mimic a school of fish in the air.
Fisher's creation anchors a collection of 16 works -- winnowed from 550 entries -- that airport officials are expected to approve Friday to adorn the interior and exterior of the yet-to-be-built airport terminal and the parking garage.
The $3.8 million project would put Indianapolis in the company of other cities across the nation that are advancing their reputations in arts and culture by using their most visible gateways as showcases.
"This is one of the most impressive, organized and defined art programs I've seen," said the 66-year-old Fisher, whose artwork resides at Philadelphia International Airport and other public spaces. "They're going to get one magnificent airport out of this. I think it's going to set the standard."
The airport art will reside inside and outside the $1.07 billion midfield terminal, which is scheduled to be completed in 2008, and will be seen by millions of air travelers each year.
Bronze benches shaped and painted like luggage. Large murals made of colored glass. Glass tiles depicting the Indiana landscape, and terrazzo floors representing Indiana's state song and its rich tradition in amateur sports.
"We haven't really had a true art program up to now," said Lacy M. Johnson, president of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. "We've tried to incorporate as much of an Indiana theme as possible."
Officials working on the terminal project point out that airport terminals serve as prime vehicles for public art given their immense square footage and foot traffic. The new terminal will incorporate nearly 22 football fields of space and is expected to serve more than 10 million passengers annually.
And travelers -- especially in this era of long security lines -- often spend large chunks of time lingering in airport terminals.
Airport officials from Denver to Orlando, Fla., have sought to boost their cities' reputations in arts and culture by using their most visible gateways as permanent showcases.
Airport planners in Indianapolis expect to spread the works throughout the terminal so travelers are offered a jolt of creativity at each stage of their journey, said designers Julia Moore and Ted Givens of Blackburn Architects in Indianapolis, which has coordinated the art effort.
"We're trying to think in advance where people are going to be spending their time," Moore said. "Then we're asking, 'What are they going to be looking at?' "
Among the works:
• On the pedestrian bridge from the terminal's parking lot, travelers will walk under a field of interactive lights called "Electroland" that will follow them as they go. The piece is by artists Cameron McNall and Damon Seeley, Los Angeles.
• In the ticketing hall, patrons will see two large limestone carvings by Bloomington artist Dale Enochs that represent the four elements: air, earth, fire and water.
• At the terminal's central meeting area, passengers will gaze up at Fisher's abstract "JetStream" piece and down at a circle design made of tile that conveys the phases of the moon by Lynn Basa, Chicago.
• Separate murals by two artists -- Nhat Tran, Indianapolis, and Dixie Friend Gay, Houston -- will hang for viewing by passengers waiting at security checkpoints.
The 42-year-old Tran plans to use a special Asian lacquer to create a mural that will depict various forces of nature.
"Each person has a personal voice," she said. "This is my voice, and I hope that is my contribution to our community."
Other works include large glass murals in the concourses by Martin Donlin, East Sussex, England; a three-dimensional abstract mural by noted Indianapolis artist James Wille Faust near the escalators; and bronze luggagelike sculptures in the baggage claim area by Ron Baron, New York.
Planners also are hashing out separate artworks for the parking garage and the approach to the terminal. Display cases in the ticketing hall will show temporary exhibits.
"We're hoping this is an art program that will both be appreciated and coordinated with the structure," said John Kish, director of the terminal project.
Indianapolis' push is one of the latest among airports both large and small that have sought to add a creative flair to their terminals by housing rotating exhibits or spending millions on bigger pieces.
Denver International, for instance, keeps large, temporary exhibits in three of its concourses. Kansas City International recently spent $270,000 to install a 35-foot-high aluminum sculpture near the airport's economy parking lot.
Orlando International is adorned with more than 40 paintings, sculptures and other works, while the airport in Albany, N.Y., has a 2,500-square-foot art gallery.
Attempts to place art in the terminal here have taken more than a year to come to fruition.
A panel of national and local art experts whittled about 550 entries from around the world to about three dozen. Out of that smaller group came the 15 final artists. Hammond artist Tom Torluemke was the lone winner with two works: separate terrazzo floors.
Fisher, who spent months working on his "JetStream" concept, said his inclusion in the terminal project is a privilege.
"It's exhilarating to think of the millions of people that are going to look at it," he said. "At the same time, it also can weigh on you like a pyramid.
"Airports are about transportation. I hope my piece also transports people."
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Varied works celebrate Indiana, flight
"Baggage Claim"
Bronze benches molded and painted in the form of vintage luggage. Located in baggage claim.
Artist: Ron Baron, New York.
Estimated cost: $150,500.
"The Great Circle Route"
Stone and glass floor that depicts the phases of the moon and other designs. Located in Civic Plaza.
Artist: Lynn Basa, Chicago (formerly of Bloomington).
Estimated cost: $235,000.
"Flight Wave"
Glass chevrons that will mimic birds in flight and emit different colors of light when the sun shines through them. Located just past the security checkpoints.
Artist: Arlon Bayliss, Anderson.
Estimated cost: $100,500.
"People/Land/Sky Dream Windows"
Abstract glass murals that depict poetry and other inspirational musings. Located in the terminal concourses.
Artist: Martin Donlin, East Sussex, England.
Estimated cost: $572,000.
"Electroland"
An interactive field of lights on the ceiling that follow pedestrians as they walk. Located on the pedestrian bridge between the parking garage and terminal.
Artists: Cameron McNall and Damon Seeley, Los Angeles.
Estimated cost: $401,000.
"Elemental Indiana"
Limestone carvings that show the four elements: air, earth, fire and water. Located in the ticketing hall.
Artist: Dale Enochs, Bloomington.
Estimated cost: $96,000.
Untitled
Abstract three-dimensional mural depicting many shapes and colors. Located above the escalators leading from the gates to baggage claim.
Artist: James Wille Faust, Indianapolis.
Estimated cost: $145,500.
"JetStream"
Collection of floating aluminum sculptures meant to mimic a school of fish, or clouds.
Artist: Rob Fisher, Bellefonte, Pa.
Estimated cost: $250,500.
"Fields in Season"
Six mosaics made up of tiny glass tiles that show different Indiana landscapes. Located in the terminal concourses.
Artist: Ann Gardner, Seattle.
Estimated cost: $120,000.
"Autumn Prairie Morning"
Mosaic mural depicting Indiana's native prairie. Located at the security checkpoints.
Artist: Dixie Friend Gay, Houston.
Estimated cost: $101,500.
"The Cardinal Points"
Glass wall showing images of a cardinal, Indiana's state bird, as well as the grid layout of Indianapolis. Located just after the security checkpoints.
Artists: Stuart Keeler and Michael Machnic, Chicago.
Estimated cost: $105,500.
"On the Tip of Our Wings"
Lacquer panels that portray various forces in nature. Located at the security checkpoints.
Artist: Nhat Tran, Indianapolis.
Estimated cost: $97,000.
"The Glory of Sports in Indianapolis" and "A Work of Heart"
Two terrazzo floors: One depicts Indianapolis' sports traditions; the other combines references of Indiana's state song, "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away," with the book "The Little Prince." Both are located in the plazas that join the terminal and concourses.
Artist: Tom Torluemke, Hammond.
Estimated cost: $149,500 (total for both works).
"Cardinalis"
A freestanding sculpture made out of a real airplane wing that serves as an homage to Orville and Wilbur Wright (Wilbur was born near Millville.). Located in the South Terminal Garden.
Artist: John van Alstine, Wells, N.Y.
Estimated cost: $170,500.
"Baggage Follies"
Train-station-style flip signs that show animations of passengers engaging in typical travel activities. Located in baggage claim.
Artist: Janet Zweig, New York.
Estimated cost: $150,500.
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