UAP

San Fransisco Airport Terminal 2

San Fransisco Airport has recently unveiled a landmark new public art program as part of the remodelling of Terminal 2, including 5 new commissions and 20 reinstallations of work from the airport’s existing extensive collection. The $388 million remodelling included an allocation of $3.7 million for art enrichment under San Fransisco's Art Enrichment ordinance.

Five contemporary artists, selected by a panel of key stakeholders and art community representatives, were commissioned to create new works for the terminal. Taking care to select from a variety of backgrounds and artistic practices, the panel chose three established artists with past experience in architecturally integrated public art, as well as two local emerging artists who also work at San Fransisco’s Exploratorium.

The works were integrated at various stages of the visitor experience. Arriving passengers are greeted by Norie Sato’s sweeping art facade that references flight between two layers of cloud. Kendall Buster’s Topograph is suspended in the departure lounge, while Janet Echelman’s Every beating second intrigues passengers transiting and waiting in the post-security area. On a smaller scale in the children’s play areas, Walter Kitundu and Charles Sowers created interactive artworks that reference the local flora and fauna.

The San Fransisco Airport’s museum quality collection of public art has become one of its defining assets, setting the tone for the city’s identity as a leader in world class art.

For more information see: San Fransisco Art Commission

PROJECT San Fransisco Airport Terminal 2
COMMISSIONED ARTISTS Janet Echelman, Kendall Buster, Norie Sato, Walter Kitundu, Charles Sowers
PROJECT TEAM San Fransisco Arts Commission, Airport Art Steering Committee, Artist Selection Panel, Installation Team
PHOTOGRAPHY Bruce Damonte
YEAR 2011

Image above: Janet Echelman, Every Beating Second, 2011, Photo by BruceDamonte

Norie Sato, Air Over Under, 2011, Laminated glass, Photo by BruceDamonte

Kendall Buster, Topograph, 2011, Photo by BruceDamonte

Charles Sowers, Butterfly Wall, 2011, Photo by BruceDamonte

Walter Kitundu, Bay Area Bird Encounters, 2011, Photo by Bruce Damonte