Engage in Manchester Airport’s Chandelier Redesign Project: Your Chance to Inspire Terminal 2’s New Art Installation

• Manchester airport is working with Manchester School of Architecture students and a local sculpture artist to reimagine its iconic chandeliers
• The new project will see one of the old chandeliers used to produce a brand-new installation that will be displayed at the heart of the new Terminal 2
• Members of the public are now being asked to share their memories of the chandeliers and thoughts on travel from Manchester to give inspiration to the students

(IN SHORT) Manchester Airport is inviting the public to participate in the redesign of its iconic chandeliers, which will be transformed into a new art installation for Terminal 2. Collaborating with students from the Manchester School of Architecture and sculptor Liam Hopkins of Lazerian studio, the project seeks inspiration from the community’s memories and thoughts on travel. Participants can share their insights through a questionnaire, guiding the students in reimagining the chandelier’s design. The resulting artwork will be showcased in Terminal 2, adding to the airport’s architectural legacy and reflecting the spirit of the North.

(PRESS RELEASE) Manchester, UK, 2024-Mar-6 — /Travel PR News/ — Manchester Airport’s iconic chandeliers are being reimagined to form a new art installation to sit at the heart of the brand-new, award-winning Terminal 2 – and you can help shape what that looks like.

The airport is working with students from the Manchester School of Architecture and a locally based specialist sculptor to take one of the old chandeliers and turn it into a new piece of art that will be displayed in the International Departure Lounge.

And now people who live in and travel from Manchester are being asked to share their thoughts and feelings about travel with the students to help inspire the final project.

The students have put together a questionnaire that can be accessed here. It takes less than five minutes to complete and invites people to answer five questions including ‘what makes the North a unique tourist destination?’ and ‘what impression do you want tourists to take away from their experience of the North?’.

Then the students will use the feedback to help them reimagine the chandelier to create a piece of art that will be seen by millions of passengers every year.

That design will be realised with the help of expert glass sculptor Liam Hopkins who runs Denton-based Lazerian studio.

Liam Hopkins of Lazerian said:

“I am thrilled to embark on this collaborative journey with Manchester Airport and the Manchester School of Architecture to breathe new life into the beloved glass chandeliers that have long been an emblem of the airport’s identity.

“Guiding the students from the Manchester School of Architecture through their MSA Live Project is both an honour and a stimulating challenge. Together, we are committed to fostering social impact and community benefit through our efforts.

“I eagerly anticipate witnessing the innovative solutions and creative visions we will bring to fruition, destined to adorn the newly redesigned departure hall of Terminal 2.”

Emily Crompton, Senior Lecturer at Manchester School of Architecture, said:

“Manchester School of Architecture is excited to be collaborating with Manchester Airport on their project to re-imagine the iconic glass chandeliers from Terminal 1.

“As part of MSA LIVE, an annual programme of live projects which sees architecture students working on real life projects with an external client, this project will see a group of 15 students working alongside an artist to design a new installation for the terminal using the original glass from the chandeliers.

“Their design work will be viewed by the thousands of passengers passing through Manchester Airport every day, providing a fantastic opportunity for both the students and airport.”

Jill Fraser, Transformation Programme Delivery Director at Manchester Airport, said:

“The chandeliers are a huge part of the airport’s identity and it’s so exciting to be able to bring one of them back to life in our new Terminal 2.

“It’s especially good to be able to work with local people on the project, including the students at Manchester School of Architecture, Lazerian – and now everyone who fills in this survey.

“Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to serve the people of the North and how better to represent that than with a piece of art that is not only made out of something that so many people have fond memories of but has also been inspired by the community.”

Three chandeliers were the centre piece of the departure hall at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1 when it first opened in 1962. The 17ft chandeliers feature 1,300 piece of crystal between them and were designed by architect Stefan Buzas and hand blown by glass maker Bruno Zanetti at the Venini factory in Murano, Italy, at a cost of £3,000 each.

They were removed in 2003 for modernisation work on the terminal. One is on display at the World of Glass Museum in St Helen’s the other has been at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. The one the students will work with had been kept in storage at the airport.

The final artwork will be a centre piece of the second phase of the airport’s brand-new Terminal 2. The first phase opened in 2021 and features a striking honeycomb light installation, which helped it be awarded the prestigious UNESCO-backed Prix Versailles for design and architecture last year.

Media Contacts:

Michael Murphy-Pyle
Head of Media
07565 178 364

Alex Nash
Press Officer
07565 178 245

Source: Manchester Airport

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