Katharine GammonPeople don't normally think of the airport as a place to see art, but Los Angeles International Airport has an ambitious program of rotating works, which change every four to six months. Here are some to look for as you rush to catch your flight:
An exhibition of artists Margi Scharff and Alexis Zoto; Credit: Kelly Barrie, PanicStudio LA
5. Tom Bradley International Terminal, as you exit customs
Guest curator Elizabeta Betinski weaves together different textures and styles within the theme of travel in an exhibition featuring Margi Scharff and Alexis Zoto. Zoto has created a dreamscape of floating objects, including a headboard and jewelry cases, inspired by her grandmother who emigrated from Albania. Scharff collected discarded maps and bits of ephemera from her travels and created ornate collages.
Luciana Abait's Mixed Nature Series; Credit: Kelly Barrie, PanicStudio LA
4. Terminal 1, arrivals baggage claim area: Mixed Nature Series by Luciana Abait
Abait's Mixed Nature Series is a whimsical installation that seems to fly off the wall. It's made up of nature photographs — but if you look closely, you'll see tiny humans and home furnishings such as couches and chairs. Alongside these photographs are 600 photos of leaves mounted to small wooden pieces that are cut into insect and animal shapes. The leaves seem to creep up the wall of the airport, and create a feeling of being both indoors and outdoors.
Barry Markowitz's solo exhibition “Enceladus”; Credit: Kelly Barrie, PanicStudio LA
3. Terminal 3, arrivals hallway: “Enceladus” by Barry Markowitz
Markowitz's “Enceladus” is an exhibition of large paintings on wood panels. Markowitz merges hand-pressed copper with various metals and ink to create reflective images that reference his wanderings in Los Angeles. Enceladus is named after a small moon of Saturn that had been considered unremarkable until recently, when astronomers observed signs of life and light.
2. Terminal 3, arrivals hallway: Out of This World
Nearby, in keeping with the idea of leaving our home planet, is Out of This World, an installation by artists Terry Braunstein, Susanna Meiers, Victor Raphael and June Wayne. It looks at the idea of outer space through painting, photomontage, lithography, video and an artist book.
Kurt Hentschläger's video work entitled View, as part of the installation “See Change”; Credit: Kelly Barrie, PanicStudio LA
1. Tom Bradley International Terminal, arrival hallway: “See Change”
This lushly colorful 17-artist video art installation took seven years to arrive at LAX. Read all about “See Change” and the people behind it in our art feature here.
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