New art exhibits are bringing more culture to three airports: Los Angeles International (LAX), Miami International (MIA) and Nashville International (BNA).
Los Angeles World Airports and the city of Los Angeles Department of Cultural affairs have put three exhibitions on display at LAX through July.
“BFF Narcissus and Echo,” a mixed-media installation, is on display in the Customs Hall of Tom Bradley International Terminal on the arrivals level. Los Angeles-based artist July Hughes used “painted environments” of brightly colored paint and paper shapes mounted to the ceiling, walls and floor.
In Terminal 1, Gate 1, “Surf Rapture: Glare, Salt and Movement” features photos by Art Brewer, curated by Molly Toberer and Lesley Meyer; there are 15 large-format, fine art photographs showing various surf icons beginning circa 1969. There are big-wave and pipeline surfers in action, along with candid portraits.
“Dreams of Soaring” featuring artworks by Kevin Stewart-Magee, Cheryl Bookout and Suvan Geer can be found in Terminal 2 on the upper/departures level. Bookout, serving as exhibition curator, combines paintings and mixed-media around mythical, fantasy and dreamlike depictions of flight.
The art at MIA’s exhibition, which opened May 18, features intricately woven baskets by women from former warring tribes within the African country of Rwanda.
“Rwanda: A Path to Peace” opened during the anniversary of the country’s 100-day war from April to July 1994; the violent conflict led to nearly 1 million deaths, leaving the population at 70% women. Through the support of various non-profit groups, thousands of women from the Hutu and Tutsi tribes have been using basket weaving as a source of economic development, reconciliation and rebuilding, weaving side by side.
“‘A Path to Peace’ illustrates an amazing story of cultural and creative expression in the wake of tragedy,” says Yolanda Sánchez, Miami-Dade Aviation Department Division director of fine arts and cultural affairs. “It is a perfect exhibition for our South Terminal Gallery, which features handmade artwork from around the world.”
And in Nashville, the summer installment of the airport’s Flying Solo Series will feature quilts, copper bowls on antlers and bird sculptures.
The series gives local artists the chance to show their work at the airport. Summer 2011 artists include John Toomey, Peter Rose, Ben Caldwell and the Upper Cumberland Quilt Trail.
“We’re excited to have such talented local artists and an historical art form in this season’s Flying Solo Series,” says Raul Regalado, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority. “Bringing the visual arts to our passengers is another way we continue to provide a great Nashville Airports Experience.”
The exhibit will be open from June 12 to Sept. 4.
