Millions will be Touched by Art
at Oakland International Airport

		"Commercial aviation allows us to forget what we're about to do [when we fly] — we forget the exhilaration underlying the experience of flying," said Rath. The artist's work was chosen from a field of 106 proposals.

People from around the world will see art in Oakland — that is, when they arrive and depart from Oakland International Airport.

The Port of Oakland, through the Oakland Museum of California, chose 19 artists to develop art project proposals for the airport's Terminal Improvement Program. Already, three artists have been approved by Port Commissioners to create art for the Airport.

Going Away, Coming Home
Oakland painter Hung Liu was chosen from among 160 applicants to create his Going Away, Coming Home, which is comprised of imagery from satellite weather maps, a flock of Imperial Cranes from an ancient Chinese painting, the lighting from a 10' x 160' window where the work will be located, as well as passengers moving past the creation.

Liu will use a technique called acid etching that will result in a piece with layered images that appear to move. Images of weather patterns, from a geo-synchronous satellite, will be cast over a virtual set up of maps depicting the Bay Area, the Pacific Northwest, the Pacific Ocean, and the United States.

"The overall idea of Going Away, Coming Home is that of constancy of change," Liu remarked. "The satellite images show us a modern image from space while the traditional Chinese cranes remind us that we have always sought liftoff, both physically and in spirit."

Birds in Flight
Oakland electronic sculptor Alan Rath was selected to build his kinetic sculpture Birds in Flight to be installed on a wall at the base of the escalators inside the security check-point area. It consists of three pairs of aluminum wings, eight feet in diameter, that simulate flapping and gliding flight. Rath designed a computer system to control the motion of the wings, which can bank right or left, flap up and down and glide in tandem and separately.

"Commercial aviation allows us to forget what we're about to do [when we fly] — we forget the exhilaration underlying the experience of flying," said Rath. The artist's work was chosen from a field of 106 proposals.

Hybrid
Oakland sculptor Joyce Hsu was chosen to install her piece, Hybrid, a large architectural sculpture resembling a mechanical bird. "It's my hope to create a monumental sculpture that will evoke some thoughts in the hurrying passengers about flying and freedom," noted Hsu. "I want to create an icon and a universal symbol that can be understood by people from all cultures and backgrounds," she said.

More to Come
Remaining projects, for which artists have yet to be chosen, include four 9' x 6' restroom privacy walls and the east wall of the baggage claim area, which is designated for an 18-monitor media art wall. The Port's Public Art Ordinance requires that art play a part in all major construction projects and for private development on land purchased and leased from the Port.

Harold Jones, Port of Oakland's Director of Communications, commented, "We're looking forward to seeing what else the artists envision in public art at the Airport. The process will result in a variety of creative achievements that will be enjoyed by the millions of passengers who travel through Oakland International Airport."

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