Highwire Travelers: The Story Behind The Art
Recently, following a long budget meeting featuring a lot of numbers, I decided I needed a short break, so I decided to take a tour of Terminal 1. The last piece of art, Gordon Huether’s Highwire Travelers, had recently been installed, and I wanted to take a look.
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One of the figures comprising Highwire Travelers balances luggage above the bag claim lobby.[/caption]
Placed high above the bag claim lobby, Highwire Travelers features seven airport travelers. One is resting against a column, his suitcase beside him, while one reads a book and another balances his luggage as he makes his way across a tightrope.
For his piece, Huether drew upon characters from his own life as inspiration for the figures, from his favorite bartender to his daughter to Huether himself.
Yes. The artist, created through foam and plaster, greets passengers as they exit the security checkpoint to enter the concourse.
Watch Huether describe the inspirations behind the figures.
The piece is fascinating not just in the figures and their locations, but also for the parameters put on the artist. Huether was told that nothing could be placed on the floor, hung from the ceiling or attached to the walls. The result? A whimsical piece that both distracts and pleases.
Viewing Huether’s piece was a welcome respite from a busy day, and this is exactly our hope for our passengers. That when you pass through Terminal 1, Huether’s piece, along with the other featured works, will let you take a pleasant break from your busy travels.