Client: City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department

Overview

Suspended along Concourse B of the El Paso International Airport are 45 fused glass panels. The average size of an individual panel is approximately 24 x 20 inches. The commissioning agency requested that the designs be contemporary updates of motifs used in the airport’s original design. The city of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department commissioned the work. The budget did not include installation as the airport required their own contractors do it following the artist’s guidelines.

Goals

The selection committee for the artwork based their choice on the artist’s ability to work with their concept of modernizing aspects of the original airport’s design. The artwork was also to function as a place identifier, an expression of the city. Additionally, the artist took in to mind the barrel ceilings, and the abundance of natural light coming through the windows. The artwork expands along the concourse, and hangs above the food court in the newly expanded areas.

Process

Working with the airport administrators, architect, and the city’s Museum of Cultural Affairs Department the project developed. Designs were reviewed throughout the process, and committee representatives visited the artist’s studio on the Oregon coast for final approval. Engineering was supplied by the artist, as well as a detailed rendering for the installation.
Airport contractors installed the work following the artist’s plans.