2013-02-08 — /travelprnews.com/ — British Airways moved into Terminal 5, its new home at London Heathrow airport, on March 27, 2008.
In celebration of the move, the airline commissioned artworks through art curating company, Artwise, with whom they have worked for the last 12 years, for their new ‘Galleries’ lounges.
Under the direction of Susie Allen, founding director of Artwise Curators, Christopher Pearson, Troika, Oona Culley, Robert Orchardson and El Ultimo Grito have created site specific artworks that demonstrate a strong combination of art, design and technology for its new £60 million luxurious suite of lounges.
The British Airways collection now numbers over 1,500 pieces, including works by prominent British artists such as Chris Ofili, Peter Doig, Anish Kapoor, Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst.
Previous art commissions by the airline for its lounges include Sol LeWitt, Andy Goldsworthy, David Nash, Janet Cardiff, Tord Boontje and Tjep Studio for Droog (which won the prestigious Dutch Design Award of the Year, 2004).
The new commissions are by emerging British based artists whose works bring together art and design. For T5 the new site specific works are:
All the time in the world by Troika, 2008
Troika, a multidisciplinary art and design studio, has created a 22m long display wall that will deliver messages to all customers entering the lounge. This ever-changing installation contains a bespoke modular text display system that has been designed by Troika and developed using electroluminescent technology by Elumin8.
Cloud by Troika, 2008
Troika has also developed a kinetic sculpture in the form of a stylised cloud that will hang in the atrium between the escalators into the lounge. This five metre long sculpture is the first three-dimensional non-rectangular structure made using flip dot technology (as would be seen on information boards at railway stations). The sculpture is made up of 5,000 flip dots with bespoke finishings and a specially developed animation software that allows the appearance of the cloud to change throughout the day.
Oak Seasons by Christopher Pearson, 2008
Three pairs of 3-d etched glass screens that bring together traditional illustration and contemporary technologies are situated in the First Galleries lounge.
Each pair has a delicate 3D etching featuring a pattern of the changing cycle of the British Oak tree. Inspired by traditional prints from William Morris, founder of the British arts and crafts movement, Pearson’s interpretation brings a contemporary aesthetic and sense of humour to his designs.
Pegasus and the Winged Lion by Christopher Pearson, 2008
In the Concorde Room a seemingly traditional British Airways crest in trompe l’oeil above a fireplace will unexpectedly come alive in 3D animation.
Willow Boughs by Christopher Pearson, 2006
Inspired by William Morris’ famous Willow Boughs design (contained in the archive of Arthur Sanderson & Sons), the animated wallpaper is projected on the wall above the heads of First class diners and will appear to be spreading and growing over an eight-metre area. This work is shown with the kind permission of Sanderson & Sons
Kidzones by El Ultimo Grito, 2008
El Ultimo Grito, a creative company specialising in design, have developed a total concept for the kidzone. This is a complete environment designed by El Ultimo Grito that contains interactive furnishings, a magnetic wall and fittings that the children can play with.
Where the Winds Blow, Shadows in Mist and Windswept Shadows by Oona Culley, 2008 and Paths beyond by Robert Orchardson, 2008
Throughout British Airways’ Galleries lounges there are a number of glass screens featuring specially commissioned artwork by artists such as Oona Culley. The screens have been designed to allow the commissioned artwork to be changed periodically.
Terminal 5 will also see a re-hang of the collection including a striking painting by Peter Ellis, a number of classic Bridget Riley’s from the Egyptian series, two major works by Toby Ziegler and one of Gary Hume’s most iconic pieces Tony Blackburn.
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