"Long before Santiago Calatrava unveiled his architectural allegory for flight that will become the downtown PATH station, Eero Saarinen gave New York City a symbol that captured the grace and excitement of the jet age by mimicking the shape of a soaring bird. Since its completion in 1962, the TWA Terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport has served as an icon of both modern air travel and modern design. But its daring gull-winged construction—a reinforced concrete sculpture that tested the limits of its material and of what modernism could be—was the source of its distinction as well as downfall. The building’s stand-alone, sinewy form made it difficult to adapt it to the rapidly modernizing airline industry. Larger airplanes, increased passenger flow and automobile traffic, computerized ticketing, handicapped accessibility, and security screening are just a few of the challenges that Terminal 5 (as it’s officially known) could not meet without serious alteration. When the terminal closed in 2001 (in the wake of TWA’s demise in 1999), no other airline stepped up to take over the space."


- bill 10-01-2004 6:58 pm

I was over at jetblue and got a good look at the Saarinen terminal. I can't wait for it to re-open. Worth a schlep to the airport just to see it.
- selma 10-01-2004 7:37 pm [add a comment]


There is an exhibition up at Terminal 5 which I just heard word has to close because it is too popular (read port authority shut it down because of security?).
From MUG (pre-opening):
Back to the art. "Terminal 5" is also the name of the exhibit that begins October 1 and runs through January 31, 2005 (Tues-Sat, 12-6, voluntary donation) that will use Saarinen's building for a site-specific exhibition. Curated by Rachel K. Ward, you'll find major artists responding to the site with works reflecting on the "transitory nature of travel, architecture and contemporary art," according to Ms. Ward's exhibition statement.

Jenny Holzer will work with the famous arrivals and departures board. Toland Grinnell's fabulous trunks will grace the luggage carousels. British artist Jonathan Monk considers travel as narrative, using postcards, slides, and photographs. Douglas Coupland designs imaginary machines using the shapes of aircraft equipment. In all, twenty artists from ten countries. Plus, mixed media installations, live performance areas, footage of the airport as the terminal was being built, a gift shop, events and lectures.

- selma 10-06-2004 6:58 pm [add a comment]


terminalfive

But click through the site if you have a minute.
- selma 10-06-2004 7:04 pm [add a comment]


if i was the curator id like to see a dan flavin installation with a nice piped in sound installation piece by margaret leng tan


- bill 10-06-2004 7:08 pm [add a comment]


Okay, MUG just reported more:
"A shocker. Terminal Five, which we wrote recently was sure to be the "coolest art exhibit of the year" has been shut down by the Port Authority – yes, the same Port Authority that was a sponsor. Seems there was a bit of vandalism on opening night and the PA decided, rather late in the game, that the whole thing would be a security risk. As you can imagine, curator Rachel Ward (who has worked for a year on this with no pay) and the artists are distraught. The PA, over the years, has maintained a fairly unpopular image, which this latest move will no doubt further burnish. You can help get Terminal Five open again by calling the PA's perfectly named Ernesto Butcher, 212.435.7887, and urge him to reconsider."

- selma 10-06-2004 7:29 pm [add a comment]


the daily news, the post and newsday

ok, who threw up ? everyones an art critic.


- bill 10-07-2004 4:43 pm [add a comment]


Brian Eno was supposed to talk there last night, it was moved to the AIA center I hear.
It does sound like it got out of hand, I mean we are supposed to be trying to keep the building - not destroy it. While I like to give the PA a hard time....
- selma 10-07-2004 7:50 pm [add a comment]


too bad considering music for airports and all
- bill 10-07-2004 8:04 pm [add a comment]