Seeing the Unexpected at Hamilton International Airport
“A Sense of Place” Seeing the Unexpected, the Bruce Trail and Beyond
officially opened at Hamilton International Airport on Thursday, February 11th. The project designer was Viola Mueller of DesignSmarts; the project administration manager was Publicity Works.
The installation in the Airport’s Departure Lounge and Entrance Hallway showcases the Bruce Trail, Niagara Escarpment, and area artists.
Said project designer Viola Mueller, “The installation incorporates aspects of the Bruce Trail and Niagara Escarpment in a visual panorama to engage the traveller. The unifying element in “A Sense of Place” Seeing the Unexpected is the tree as the tree is present on both the Bruce Trail and in the city of Hamilton through which the Bruce Trail passes.”
Ms. Mueller continued, “The installation facilitates a relaxing and calming atmosphere. As airport wait times can be lengthy and are often stressful, “A Sense of Place” Seeing the Unexpected was designed to be viewed slowly with something fresh to see and talk about with each glance, so that you actually ‘see the unexpected.’”
A steel tree in the centre of the Departure Lounge pays homage to Hamilton’s past industry as “steel town,” art canvases on the branches reference Hamilton’s movement into the arts and culture sector, and fabric and metal leaves suspended from the ceiling evoke the wooded trails along the Niagara Escarpment.
“A Sense of Place” Seeing the Unexpected includes ceramics, glass, wood, prints, photographs, and landscape plantings with a variety of live trees and plants.