Aliza Nisenbaum is one of six artists selected to create installations at Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport. This picture, above, is of previous work by Nisenbaum. It is titled: Team Time Storytelling (source: antonkerngallery.com)
Feb. 23, 2022 By Christian Murray
Six world-renowned New York-based artists have been selected to create permanent large-scale art installations at Delta Airline’s new Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport.
The commissioned works aim to reflect the immigrant history of New York City and the importance of celebrating diversity, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul who made the announcement Tuesday along with representatives from the Queens Museum, Port Authority and Delta Air Lines.
The installations will include sculptures and painted ceramic murals, which will be displayed throughout Delta’s terminal. Representatives from the Queens Museum oversaw the selection of the artists.
The art will welcome travelers as they enter and exit the terminal and represents a one-of-a-kind collaboration between an airline, artists, museum and airport to elevate the travel experience. The terminal is still under construction and is expected to open in spring.
“As we continue to transform LaGuardia Airport into a world-class destination, we are committed to making the new terminal a celebration of Queens as the most diverse county in the United States,” Hochul said. “By commissioning renowned New York-based artists, countless visitors will be welcomed with themes of New York’s history, diversity, and beauty.”
The artists chosen for the instillations are:
- Mariam Ghani: Ghani’s work is included in the permanent collections of the Guggenheim Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the St. Louis Art Museum, among others. Her piece will use mosaic tiles to create a graphical, playful, and colorful visualization of the NYC Language Map, showcasing the incomparable diversity of New York City and the tri-state area.
- Rashid Johnson: Johnson is known for his narrative embedding a pointed range of everyday materials and objects, often associated with his childhood and frequently referencing collective aspects of African American intellectual history and cultural identity. His installation, a massive mosaic, will reflect the energy and excitement of travel while capturing collective diversity.
- Aliza Nisenbaum: Nisenbaum is known for large-scale paintings of diverse subjects and community groups and have featured subway employees, healthcare workers, security guards, and undocumented immigrants. Her painting at the terminal will showcase the people who make air travel, including customer service agents, baggage handlers, pilots, flight attendants, security guards and wheelchair attendants, but also representatives from the Port Authority and TSA.
- Virginia Overton: Overton’s work includes sculptures and works on paper. Her installation draws inspiration from the iconic skylight structures atop many New York City buildings.
- Ronny Quevedo: Quevedo explores ancient and personal trajectories of migration and displacement. Quevedo’s installation, featuring gymnasium flooring, is a tribute to the constellation of people and communities that energize and make up the landscape of New York City.
- Fred Wilson: Wilson challenges assumptions around culture, history, and race. Wilson’s sculpture features signature starlight globes.
“We are thrilled to be working with Delta Air Lines to commission new permanent artworks by world leading artists who live and work in New York City, the most exciting cultural destination in the world,” Queens Museum President Sally Tallant said in a statement. “It is fitting that we welcome everyone, visitors and residents alike, with a new terminal presenting art that speaks to the city’s spirit and creativity.”
The 1.2 million square foot, $4 billion Delta Airlines Terminal C at LaGuardia broke ground in 2017 and will replace the outdated Terminals C and D.
Terminal C (Photo: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey)
