Huge new kinetic sculpture unveiled at iGA Istanbul Airport

Airport art continues to get bigger and bolder, and this is certainly the case for the new 37.7-metre kinetic sculpture unveiled at iGA Istanbul Airport this week.

The two-part sculpture by artist Hayri Karay is said to combine the unwavering strength of steel with the elegance of light via choreography of light and shadow.

Located at the heart of the airport, the airport notes that it emphasises the cultural layers of Anatolia, the large West Asian peninsula that forms most of modern-day Turkey.

Karay said: “This structural sculpture differentiates itself through the relationship it establishes with the viewer. I wanted to ensure it defines a process that is open to multiple readings and is constantly changing; rather than having a fixed meaning it is reconstructed together with the audience.”

iGA Istanbul Airport CEO, Selahattin Bilgen, said: “This sculpture and the project behind it is one that pushes boundaries and we’re proud to be a part of it. This colossal and iconic masterpiece is a new marker in the sand for where aviation and contemporary art truly intersect.

“We have brought together the high dynamism of our terminal with the serenity of art. It’s a structure that works as a participatory art experience, fully open to the interpretation, feelings, and perspective of its audience.”