Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has opened several new art exhibitions featuring the work of local and regional artists, adding to the travel experience for passengers as the busy summer season kicks off.
The installations, which span a variety of mediums and themes from nature to history and human experiences, bring the total number of temporary and permanent artworks across the airport to 33.
LAX Interim Chief Development Officer Mike Christensen said the new exhibitions coincide with the start of the peak travel period and underscore the airport’s commitment to offering travelers “more than just a journey”.
“LAX’s art program not only beautifies our terminals, it underscores the way in which LAX is a cultural destination in its own right,” Mr Christensen said.
Among the new installations is “Flora (Flores amplificati)” by Los Angeles-based artist Laura Hull, an immersive photomural in the post-security connecting hallway between Terminals 1 and 2.
The work features digitally manipulated photographs of plant life commonly found in Southern California, creating a lush and energetic environment that envelops passengers as they move through the space.
In Terminal 2’s pre-security baggage claim area, artist Deborah Aschheim’s “365 Days of Voters” presents a collection of over 500 hand-drawn portraits of voters and future voters from across Los Angeles County, the largest and most diverse electoral district in the US.
The Tom Bradley International Terminal is hosting “Re-Iterative II”, a group exhibition guest curated by John David O’Brien featuring LA-based artists who explore the art-making process through related works.
Meanwhile, a newly restored sculpture of former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley by Serge Sarkis has been reinstalled at the entrance to the terminal that bears his name, where it will remain on permanent display.
LAX Art Program Director Sarah Cifarelli said the regular refreshing of exhibitions gives passengers and employees the chance to immerse themselves in new narratives and perspectives from the city’s diverse communities.
“We are proud to showcase the rich cultural fabric of the City through LAX’s art program, creating memorable moments for all who pass through our terminals,” Ms Cifarelli said.
The new installations come as LAX prepares for a surge in passenger traffic over the Memorial Day weekend and into the summer months.
The airport, which served over 75 million travelers in 2023, has been undergoing a multi-billion-dollar modernization program to improve efficiency, safety and the overall customer experience.
With the completion of an airside connector last year, passengers can now move freely between Terminals 1 and 8 post-security, providing access to the full range of the airport’s amenities and art offerings.
