Many people can recognize the singular grind of traveling from airport to airport. Some of the airports you connect in might be seen at a dead run as you sprint from one gate to the other in an attempt to make your flight. Others might be glared at as flights are delayed, construction drains the spirit, and the array of shops and restaurants blur together, no one place distinguishable from the rest.
Singapore’s airport strives to fly above the rest with the idea of embracing the space for travel and including art to help soothe travelers’ souls. A variety of different art installations — 13, to be exact — cover the various terminals within the Changi Airport, delighting both unsuspecting travelers and those seasoned in Singapore’s take on what an airport should be. In fact, Changi Airport in Singapore has consistently garnered awards and other honors as one of the best airports in the world.
Of the 13 art installations on display in the airport, just over one-third of them are by Singaporean artists. The rest have been commissioned by artists from across the world. An airport official said that the criteria for displaying art in the airport is that the art must be universal. Since the Singapore airport sees a diverse number of travelers every single day, it is important to appeal to lots of different backgrounds for people. Even so, the Singaporean artists on display bring that important local flavor to give the airport its Singaporean context. Natives to the region will readily recognize distinctive blue ceramic pots, graceful ink calligraphy, and a giant rendering of a saga seed. While travelers not from Singapore or the surrounding Southeastern Asian region might not immediately grasp the importance of these images, they will surely come back after their visit to Singapore with much more insight on what these artworks mean to the area.
Other artworks take the art of flying quite literally. A Mexican artist has a set of golden, outspread wings on display, seeming to float in space. A short flight of stairs leads travelers up to them for an entertaining and beautiful portrait opportunity while on the go. Another installation mounted on the wall represents birds in migration, winging their way to their breeding grounds. Clusters of large marble sculptures are reminiscent of root bundles, reflecting the importance of gardens to Singapore’s culture. Perhaps one of the best known installations is one that moves. Suspended from the ceiling, a large group of metallic teardrops can be programmed to take the shape of many different images.
Art knows no boundaries and can be found in nearly every culture both past and present. Celebrate art by signing up for an art class through SGArtClass.com. Whether you’re a seasoned creative professional looking to relax with a new class or someone who’s never had formal artistic training, you can easily find the lessons and teacher that will be right for you.
To read more about the art in the Singapore airport, go to http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/1438169/art-on-the-fly-singapore-changi-airport.