Exhibits at BNA

A Wave and a Movement (mixed media)
Artist: Daniel Arite
Location: Level 1, IAF Exit Waiting Area

Daniel Arite is a mixed-media artist who works in collage, assemblage, video and printmaking. He prefers to reuse and repurpose materials, a practice that grew out of a desire to create art in an earth-friendly way. Arite’s training and education as an artist are a result of years of independent study that began when he moved to Nashville, Tenn., from Albuquerque, N.M. in the summer of 2000. In 2011, he was awarded a Tennessee Arts Commission professional development grant which allowed him to reside in the Catalonia region of Spain to study the architecture and the work of prominent artists of the region.

Arite recently collaborated with Joyner Avenue and Thandiwe Shiphrah to create a bus shelter as part of The Uplift Bus Shelter project, a public transit enhancement commissioned by Metro Nashville Arts Commission. In addition to being a visual artist, he is also a composer and recording artist.

About A Wave and a Movement
The artist states, “My creative practice is rooted in playful experimentation and what I call ‘organized randomness,” a deliberate way of working that involves impulse, inquiry and exploring the effects of spontaneous gestures and body movements. This approach not only forms the basis of most of my paintings, it often informs the subject matter and structure of my assemblages. I work to engage communities in art making and creating art experiences that challenge the imagination and inspire action. It is my belief that the arts can play an important role in fostering innovation and creative problem solving that can help to move our communities forward.”

www.danielariteart.weebly.com

Notes from Nashville (acrylic and oil paintings)
Artist: Sarah Clinton
Location: Concourse D, near Gates 3 and 5

Sarah Clinton is a painter based in Nashville, Tenn. Her journey as an artist began in earnest after her youngest child was born with a rare genetic disorder (SYNGAP1) necessitating full-time care. Clinton recalls, “As I learned to navigate the ups and downs of parenting a child with special needs, painting became a way to work through my emotions. I watched my daughter process the world so differently than her peers and this reshaped my own perspective as I sought to see things through her unique lens. Seeing beauty and nuance in the ordinary has greatly influenced both my artwork and my approach to life.”

Committed to making a positive impact through her art, Clinton co-founded the “Fearlessly and Wonderfully Created” fine art show in Spring 2023, benefiting “Saddle Up!”, an organization providing therapeutic and recreational activities for children and youth with special needs in Franklin, Tenn. Clinton was also a finalist in the Arts & Business Council of Nashville’s “Periscope: Artist Entrepreneur Training” program. She serves as the treasurer of The Chestnut Group, a plein air painting organization dedicated to land conservation and preservation. Her paintings have been showcased in several juried exhibitions and many pieces are held in private collections.

About Notes from Nashville
According to Clinton, “‘Notes from Nashville’ is inspired by Nashville’s vibrant arts scene and an appreciation of its visitors and residents. Capturing the collective energy of dynamic Broadway crowds, the series also focuses on the individuals who share their craft along with their vulnerabilities in an effort to connect and inspire. Each piece within this collection is a note in my own song for Music City, reflecting a shared experience and connection through the universal language of music and art.”

On the Wings of Dreams (oil and acrylic paintings)
Artist: Joel Keas
Location: Level 1, IAF Exit Waiting Area

Joel Keas is a Tennessee native. He earned a Fine Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Keas has traveled much of the United States and uses his travels as a source of inspiration. He has exhibited in galleries and has artwork both in public and private collections. He and his wife Rhonda live in Knoxville where they raised three children.

About On the Wings of Dreams
The artist states, “I paint the places, people and things that catch my eye and strike an inner chord with me, so the images in my art are varied as my days. Using with oil-based paint allows me to create rough areas with a brush and then add more details or completely change things as I go along. As a believer, painting is how I express the meaning and beauty found in both the sublime and the seemingly mundane things we have the gift of seeing every day, if we just look. I realize that Divine inspiration is a lofty goal, but it is often found on the wings of dreams!”

www.joelkeas.com
Instagram: @joelkeasart

Presence (photographs)
Artist: DaShawn Lewis
Location: A/B Exit Waiting Area

DaShawn Lewis is a self-taught photographer whose work focuses on the preservation of memories and youth arts. Born and raised in Nashville, Tenn., Lewis has been drawn towards photography since childhood. Building community and making connections are components that he considers when making photographs.

Lewis creates what he likes to call “Life photography.” Life photography aims to document real-life events, people or environments in the most natural way possible. The primary goal is to show the importance of everyday life and everyday people. Within the past few years, Lewis and several of his creative friends have helped coordinate workshops and exhibits with the Edgehill Brighter Days Program in South Nashville led by Nancy Crutcher.

About Presence
The artist states, “In photography, we often have a split second to document a moment before it’s gone. Presence is required in order to anticipate and make these moments. Presence can be felt mentally, physically or spiritually. It can involve people, places or things. My works reflect my thoughts, questions, feelings and experiences. I chose this theme because I believe it is important for us to consider how presence can shape our lives and our environment. Each photograph was made in real time.”

Instagram: @dash.on.community

Picture the Nations ­– Haiti (photographs)
Artist: Joshua MacLeod
Location: Level 1, IAF Exit Waiting Area

Joshua MacLeod is the founder and president of Growability®. His passion is to equip leaders to flourish in life and work. MacLeod co-hosts the Growability® podcast, and is a thought leader in strategic leadership, business and nonprofit management. He is a storyteller, speaker, coach and award-winning photographer.

MacLeod founded two 501c3 non-profit organizations: “Instruments of Joy” and “Picture the Nations.” He lives in Nashville, Tenn. with his wife Sarah and nine children.

About Picture the Nations ­– Haiti
MacLeod founded “Picture the Nations” with a desire to represent countries by the beauty of their people instead of the stigma of their poverty. “Picture the Nations” provides charitable photography services internationally to create photography products that fund poverty alleviation in the countries where the photographs are made. A photo book with these images and more than a hundred more can be acquired at www.picturethenations.org, and 100% of the proceeds benefit charity.

www.picturethenations.org

Impressions of Nature (mixed media)
Artist: Vanessa Sharp Multon
Location: Level 1, IAF Exit Waiting Area

Vanessa Sharp Multon’s artistic journey began in the scenic landscapes of West Tennessee, cultivating her innate creativity. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Middle Tennessee State University, she enjoyed a successful career as a graphic designer in the field of advertising.

Multon was selected for the 2023 and 2024 “Soundwaves Gallery” at Nashville Soccer Club’s GEODIS Park and was acknowledged as one of “11 Emerging Contemporary Artists from Nashville to Know” by The Culture Trip.

Her paintings have graced global private collections, as well as the prestigious Vanderbilt University Medical Center collection, and have been featured on HGTV. As a licensed artist through iCanvas, she has caught the attention of a commercial curator, positioning her work for potential opportunities through Artrepreneur. Currently residing in Franklin, Tenn., Multon, alongside her husband and two sons, continues to captivate art lovers worldwide with her stunning artwork and unwavering passion for painting.

About Impressions of Nature
The artist states, “I am inspired by the diverse landscapes of Tennessee. My collection of abstract landscape paintings resonate with a deep connection to nature, particularly the captivating beauty of my home state. Nature has always been my wellspring of inspiration, and the allure of Tennessee serves as a perpetual muse. I aim to create a serene ambiance in my abstract landscapes, leaving viewers with a profound sense of hope and joy. These paintings intricately weave the dance of light and reflection, enriched by delicate touches of 24 karat gold leaf. Layers of acrylic paint, at times blended with sand, create thick, tactile textures. Through the dynamic interplay of impasto palette knife strokes and the nuanced strokes of paint brushes, I strive to create a visual symphony that celebrates the profound beauty and emotional resonance found within the natural world.”

www.vanessamulton.com
Instagram: @artbyvanessam

Hand Shadows: Imagination in Glass (glass)
Artist: Tammy O’Connor
Location: Concourse D, near Gate 2

Tammy O’Connor grew up in Montgomery, Ala., in the 1960s, where she witnessed the pain and fear that hatred causes. Inspired by her uncle’s kindness, compassion and love, O’Connor decided to follow in his footsteps as a photographer. When there were no photography classes for a determined young girl, her grandfather placed her in Commercial Art. She studied design, color and composition and went on to graduate in photography from The Art Institute of Atlanta. When she was introduced to stained glass, she realized that she could still compose and play with light and color. The fit was right.

By nature a quiet person, O’Connor enjoys working in her studio while listening to music and thinking about people and the powerful force of love. She states, “The souls around me are like the glass I work with: beautiful, colorful and fragile. I try to live and work as the German composer Robert Schumann once said, ‘to send light into the darkness of men’s hearts, such is the duty of the artist.’”

About Hand Shadows: Imagination in Glass
According to O’Connor, “Long ago, there were storytellers who would narrate their tales around the hearth to family members and friends, both young and old. At times these storytellers would illustrate their tales by making hand shadows using the light from the fire to ignite the imagination of their audience. This exhibit is a tribute to those simple times, the families that share stories, and the gift of imagination. Prior showings of this exhibit have elicited delight from viewers, as older generations have been able to relate their memories of making hand shadows to a younger audience.”

Orchid Botanicals (illustrations)
Artist: Mary Ruden
Location: Concourse A, across from Gate 2

Mary Ruden has taught art for over eight years at several colleges and has spoken to dozens of environmental groups on botanical and conservation themes. Ruden has created large outdoor sculptures and public art projects in several states and government buildings. Her work has been displayed at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C.

The artist’s botanical illustrations of native plants were shown at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Visitor Center in a centennial exhibit celebrating National Parks. Ruden was named “Wildflower Pilgrimage Artist of the Year” in Gatlinburg, Tenn. in 2017. Ruden’s art was spotlighted in a solo exhibit on native and endangered plants at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tenn. In addition, she illustrated two posters on native orchids of North America and wrote and illustrated a field guide on the subject. She is a member of American Society of Botanical Artists.

www.MaryRuden.com

Energy Webs
Artist: Dennis DeBon
Location: Concourse C. Skylight near Gate C-2

Dennis DeBon grew up in Buffalo, N.Y, where he developed skills in mechanical drafting and structural design. He attended the Rochester Institute of Technology where he studied photography and graphic design before moving to the Tampa Bay area.  

Debon has trademarked “EnergyWebs™” to brand his unique process of creating stacked glass pieces that are hand-cut, scalloped, polished, painted and then adhered together. The transparency of glass is integrated with not only splashes of color but also the element of motion. Each piece is a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, unique form of modern glass art. The radiating colorful designs evoke the fun of childhood “spin art,” as well as the pulsing music of Bonnaroo.

@energywebs

www.EnergyWebs.com

www.bonnarooworksfund.org

In the Clouds
Artist: Sarah Deppe
Location: Concourse C. Skylight near Gate C-3

Sarah Deppe earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa. Her work is an investigation of the constantly changing urban landscape. Deppe is interested in how objects and materials within our urban spaces shift and warp our interaction with the natural world. She has exhibited in many juried shows throughout the nation including Chicago, Ill., Des Moines, Iowa, Chattanooga, Tenn., and Oak Park, Ill. Deppe also has permanent installations at Texas A&M University and Coralville, Iowa. She is currently creating artwork in Madison, Wis.  

“In the Clouds” reflects the colorful, upbeat Bonnaroo festival atmosphere while using reclaimed plastic materials. Engaging reclaimed materials is an integral to the Bonnaroo brand, which emphasizes sustainability.

@sarah_deppe_

www.sarahdeppe.com

www.bonnarooworksfund.org

Reflections on Peace
Artists: Mr. Hanimal
Location: Concourse C. Skylight near Gate 19

Mr. Hanimal is a multidisciplinary artist who creates murals, large paintings and sculptures. He got his start painting large-scale projects as a basketball court painter. In that capacity, he executed multiple high priority job sites including Division One schools with contracts in the millions of dollars. He worked with clients to make sure that the job was painted within budget and on schedule. Since becoming a mural painter, Mr. Hanimal has produced many private and public commissions. He has participated in RiNo Arts Fest in 2018 and in Far Out Mural Fest in Walsenburg in 2021. He has installed work at Gem and Jam, Sonic Bloom, Luminade Denver, No Vacancy Denver, and RiNo Arts Fest. An active member of the Denver art community, he taught a mural painting course to teenagers at the Center for the Visual Arts in Denver as a way to give back to younger generations.  

Mr. Hanimal’s art deals with environmental justice through a careful use of recycled and upcycled materials while focusing on whimsical and surrealist subject matter. The reused materials and peaceful message fit the Bonnaroo focus on recycling, sustainability and global consciousness, while disco tiles echo the iconic Bonnaroo fire tower with its giant disco ball.

@mr_hanimal

www.mrhanimal.com

www.bonnarooworksfund.org

Infinite Crescendos
Artist: Cie Hoover
Location: Concourse B. Skylight near Gate B-4.

Cie Hoover lives and creates art in Ouray, Colo., also known as the “Switzerland of America.” He worked in the Nashville music industry for nearly a decade, and then toured full-time for six and a half years throughout North America alongside his wife Karisa in the folk-rock duo “You Knew Me When.” Afterward, he immersed himself in the visual arts among Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. Hoover’sartwork utilizes various types of wood to create wall-mounted works with depth and texture, as well as large sculptural pieces that can be studied from all angles. His public art installations can be seen throughout Colorado and his work is represented by the Slate Gray Gallery in Telluride.  

Through the employment of wood as the primary medium, “Infinite Crescendos” pays homage to nature and to the natural world. It is art derived from a need for humans to reconnect with nature and the earth, and thus reconnect with each other, creating a sense of balance and peace. 

Instagram: @CieCreativeCo
Facebook: @CieCreativeCo

www.CieCreativeCo.com

www.bonnarooworksfund.org

Air/Traffic/Control
Artist: Ivan Toth Depeña
Location: BNA Terminal Garage
Dedicated: December 2018

“Air/Traffic/Control,” designed by Ivan Toth Depeña, is installed in each of the six elevator lobbies at the Nashville International Airport’s Ground Transportation Center and Terminal Parking Garage in Nashville, Tenn.

The project was inspired by the complexity and mechanisms of the traveler’s journey. Taking inspiration from flight patterns, data, cartography, movement and sound wave forms, Depeña created an original artwork using light and glass to transform the typical column into a dynamic, responsive and interactive experience for the airport traveler. Each level is tied together visibly using a vibrant and intricately abstracted art work that is laminated within the colored glass. The compositions are generated specifically from flight paths and translated sound waves.

The project utilizes the general flow of the commuters and the movement within the elevator lobbies to activate the art. LED components produce a visual response and act as a cognitive representation of the movement and circulation. The physical form of the column appears to transform the color and energy of the motion as the viewer walks and interacts with the piece, creating an ever-evolving public art installation.

There are several added layers of media that compose the entire installation including sound and augmented reality. Depeña explored the use of sensors at the site, as a direct input, to affect the lighting and trigger sound compositions. The audio was composed by local musicians “Tape Deck Mountain” who collaborated directly with the artist. Each floor’s sonic composition is mixed live and at random and is intended to be different on each floor. Finally, a custom app is being developed to overlay a layer of Augmented Reality to the project. The content that is visible only using a mobile app, consists of flight data, musician themed video and abstracted visuals.

Ivan Toth Depeña is an artist who is currently living and working in Charlotte, N.C. With a Masters Degree in Architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. Depeña’s artistic production is informed by his experience in art, architecture, technology and design.

Celebration
Artist: Jorge Yances
Medium: oil on canvas
Location: BNA® Administrative Offices, Level 6
Dedicated: Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Award-winning artist Jorge A. Yances was born in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, and educated in the United States. He was labeled a creative prodigy by art aficionados at a very early age. During his teenage years, he fine-tuned his creative expression using a variety of techniques and finishes. Yances is a resident of Nashville, Tenn., and has a long, successful career creating and selling his artwork. Yances’ work has been on display and in demand throughout the United States, South America and Asia.

Yances’ unique style gives the viewer the opportunity to sense and feel more than one reality. The power of mind and matter intermingle and come to life on the canvas. This ability has earned Yances a premier position in the Magical Realism Movement.

About Celebration
The city strikes a particular chord in the hearts of those who come to Nashville with visions of a destination, not merely a place to visit. “Celebration” embraces and invites each viewer to awaken to the rhythm of our city; to come closer and see themselves reflected as a part of our story.

Distinctive Nashville imagery that initially draws the audience to the painting for a photo or selfie becomes, in close proximity and upon examination, a discovery of phantom spirits tucked away and peering out, beckoning – a powerful signature element of the Realismo Mágico style.

The magic of Nashville welcomes and unites many voices, songs, stories, cultures and perspectives. Welcome to Nashville!

Every New Day is the Best Day of Our Lives
Artist: Brian Tull
Medium: Vinyl printed on sheetrock. Imagery by Adrian Ramirez/EyeEm via Getty Images
Location: Concourse D, Gate 6
Installed: 2020

Neon: nostalgic and Nashville-fitting. This imagery is a snapshot of the travelers’ visit to Nashville as they depart, and a comfort to the locals heading to a distant place. The movement and excitement of color in this art installation represents our hopes in this city, BNA, aviation, and our and desire to keep traveling and moving forward.

The title, “Every New Day is the Best Day of Our Lives” is inspired by my daughter, Olive, who reminds me that every new day is the best day of my life.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Nashville-based artist Brian Tull uses both oil and acrylic paint to create photorealistic images that embody a tone of wistfulness, nostalgia, and ease through allegory. Tull’s work combines his fascination of a bygone era, a time that he believes to have been “…simple, more genuine and honest,” with his truly sensational ability to render the real world.

Lyrical Journeys
Artists: Shane Allbritton and Norman Lee
Media: Steel, walnut wood and LED lighting
Location: Concourse D, Gate 2
Installed: 2020

Lyrical Journeys” was designed by RE:site Studio’s Shane Allbritton and Norman Lee (Houston, Texas) as a public art homage to the sights and sounds of Nashville. Measuring 90 feet long and 17.5 feet wide, “Lyrical Journeys” is constructed from 14 pairs of steel bridge plates and 20 linear strings of LED light, which create an interactive experience for travelers.

The LED light strands brighten and darken in rapid succession as passengers walk beneath, creating the impression that they’re strumming the light strands as they would an instrument.

The bridge plates are a metaphorical celebration of Nashville’s musical, geographic and cultural identity: specifically, the many bridges that span the Cumberland River; songwriting, which frequently invokes bridges leading to a song’s climax; and stringed instruments, which use bridges to support their strings and produce musical sounds. Finally, the bridge plates symbolize Nashville’s identity as a focal point that connects people from all over the nation and world, echoing BNA’s role as a bustling transportation hub.

“Lyrical Journeys” was recommended to the BNA Board of Commissioners by a six-member Arts at the Airport Foundation Board selection committee. Nearly 70 submissions were received from public artists around the nation.

Across Country
Artist: Matt Goad
Medium: Terrazzo
Location: C/D Concourse Node
Installed: 2023

“Across Country” weaves airplanes and musical instruments together through a red, white and blue color palette. The title refers to traveling across the U.S.A. and the music genre that Nashville is famous for. The three stars and colors represent the flag of Tennessee, and the column stands for “The Athens of the South,” Nashville’s nickname. The swirl motifs are a nod to the popular carpet design that was replaced by the terrazzo floor. The design is intended to convey travel to and from Music City in the motion and movement of a two-step.
-Matt Goad

American artist Matt Goad began his art career while working as a graphic designer and illustrator in the mid-1990s. Woodblock printing and its hard-edged graphic aesthetic helped inform his modern style which he would take into the realm of paintings in the 2000s. Passionate about color, composition, and telling a story, his geometric approach leads viewers through a compositional narrative. His work is easily accessible to the public and enjoyed by many --  young, old, and across cultural identities.

In 2021, Goad’s design, “Across Country,” was selected by BNA stakeholders from over 60 national and international entries.

Better Home Awaiting
Artists: Jairo and Susan Prado (Prado Studio)
Medium: Terrazzo
Location: A/B Concourse Node
Installed: 2023

“Better Home Awaiting” references the history of Music City with a nod to WSM, the country’s first FM radio station, first airing the WSM Barn Dance in 1925, a precursor to the Grand Ole Opry. The Ryman Auditorium was the Opry’s home from 1943 to 1974, originally built by riverboat captain Thomas Ryman as a permanent house of worship for the city after his powerful conversion experience at an outdoor tent revival led by revivalist Samuel Jones in 1885. Its role as “The Mother Church of Country Music” was profound, and from its colorful stained glass windows and wing-like central arch window flowed countless songs from Country, Western, Bluegrass, Folk, Gospel and Americana legends.

One beloved nightly Opry tradition remains; the singing of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” a gospel altar-call hymn written by Ada R. Habershon in 1907 and popularized after the Carter Family’s revised 1935 recording. The chorus asks, “Will the circle be unbroken, by and by, Lord, by and by? There’s a better home awaiting, in the sky, Lord, in the sky.” This reference to the idea of flight and of coming home is depicted in the medallion design as a passenger jet takes to the Nashville sky, its sun resembling a rustic slice of Tennessee Maple wood. The circle theme is repeated with the pattern of records, inspired by Nashville’s own historic United Record Pressing, founded in 1949 and the largest record pressing operation in North America, not only representing country music industry superstars but also pressing the jukebox hits of Motown, Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, and the Beatles’ very first 7-inch 45-rpm vinyl.

“Better Home Awaiting” was designed by Nashville-based artist team Jairo and Susan Prado, who have an established history of creating award-winning large-scale architectural mosaics, public art installations and private commissions. They collaborate with local, regional and national organizations, institutions, builders and architects in the planning and fabrication process of custom artworks and installations in a variety of mediums. Their work is vibrant and symbolic, reflecting the stories, cultures, and creative vitality of the city and its people.

The terrazzo medallion design commission was awarded to the Prado Studio by a panel of community jurors in 2021 after an international call for submissions by Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s Arts at the Airport program. The artist team collaborated with BNA representatives and fabrication team at David Allen Company (Raleigh, N.C.) to facilitate the two-year design and installation process.

Nashville's Rhythmic Skies
Artist: Eric "Mobe" Bass
Location: BNA International Arrivals Facility
Installed: September 27, 2023

Crafted and painted by Nashville’s own Eric “Mobe” Bass, “Nashville’s Rhythmic Skies” is a mural spanning over 1000 square feet that celebrates the vibrant culture of Nashville and the thrill of air travel. The mural serves as both a tribute to Nashville International Airport’s history and as a reflection of the rich culture, icons, and beauty of Music City itself, narrating a compelling story. The primary medium employed for this installation is artist-grade spray paint, providing a unique texture and appearance unattainable through other media.

“Much like a song, this mural beckons viewers to connect, ponder and uncover their own significance within the soulful rhythms of Nashville,” says Nashville artist Eric “Mobe” Bass. “Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned adventurer, Nashville’s Rhythmic Skies stands as a reminder that each journey is a distinct melody ready to be explored in the heart of Music City.”

Discover more about Mobe Studios

On Air
Artists: Jake Elliot and Eric Mobe Bass
Location: BNA® Terminal Garage 2, Ground Level
Dedicated: Wednesday, April 18, 2018

The mural “On Air” is a play on words, paying homage to the rich musical history of our city and to the role aviation plays in building our strong culture. “On Air” acts as a window from the airport into the city, pulling viewers into a depiction of a recording studio, overlooking the state-of-the-art BNA airport and iconic Nashville skyline, and inviting them to step up to the mic.

This piece was designed to give Nashvillians and visitors a fun, interactive, and snapshot-worthy experience, turning what is normally a passive, mundane activity (waiting) into something that builds memories and captures the spirit of our city.

“On Air” is a collaboration by two accomplished Nashville-based artists, Jake Elliott and Eric “Mobe” Bass. Their public art pieces can be found throughout Nashville from Charlotte Avenue to East Nashville.

Jake is the founder of WHAT. Creative Group, an arts organization focused on engaging public art pieces and Jake has a strong studio practice. Eric is a recognized muralist, known for his deep understanding of color, light, and spray precision. His murals can be seen all around Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

The Stars Come Out at Night
Artist: Guy Kemper
Fabricator: Mayer of Munich
Project description: This sculpture is composed of 12 four ft. x eight ft. Italian glass smalti mosaics with gold accents.
Dimensions: Mosaics measure 384 square feet total and are mounted on columns 30 inches in diameter.
Location: Entrance, Consolidated Rental Car Center (CONRAC)
Installed: 2021

For nearly a century, Nashville has been a destination for those seeking stardom or wanting to see a star. The legacy of Nashville's performers reigns over the skyline, and every night the story is refreshed anew. Some join the pantheon of legends, others are merely blips–shooting stars and one-hit wonders. The city is also a booming mix of other industries. Elegant and understated, this artwork reflects the emerging cosmopolitan nature of the city and emulates the night sky enjoyed by air travelers from above and below.

The Unscalable Rampart of Time
Artist: Jacob Hashimoto
Installation and site-specific development: Superabundant Atmospheres
Location: Grand Lobby Entrance, Nashville International Airport®
Installed: January 2023

Materials
9,000 kites – handmade washi paper (mulberry paper) and bamboo kites
4,800 fiberglass rods
More about the kites:

• Each kite circle measures 9-inches in diameter
• Some of the kites are printed with colorful images, including 650 unique graphics representing Nashville and Middle Tennessee
• Rivers, grasses, plants, trees and flowers are represented at the bottom of the sculpture
• Architecture, music, business, education and cultural symbols are positioned above the water, grasses, etc.
• The white kites represent the sky, clouds, aviation, planes, airports and travel

Artist statement

"In the specific case of 'The Unscalable Rampart of Time,'  I want to invoke a framework of history for the viewer, both future and past. The title encourages people to consider their own place in a cloud of histories and of souls moving through the airport, unified by shared experience of time and place (Nashville). People traveling through the airport are on their own paths, but we can only know our personal pathway (hence, the unscalability). I believe that the airport is often a space of reflection and solitude, and that there is comfort in seeing the cloudy rampart of time and experience."

Wind Reeds
Artist: Ned Kahn
Location: Consolidated Rental Car Facility (CONRAC) exterior
Dedicated: 2011

For the BNA project entitled “Wind Reeds,” artist Ned Kahn was inspired by a landscape of windswept reeds.

Kahn has completed a series of artworks that reveal invisible forces in their sites by converting natural flow patterns, such as wind, into the pixilated motion of many small metal parts. He calls these artworks “detectors,” because they are analogous to the detectors on telescopes and other scientific instruments. The typically unseen patterns of the wind are complex and entrancing. The psychological effect is similar to watching a fire, waves on a lake or tall grasses swaying in the wind.

The Wind Reeds sculpture covers a portion of the Consolidated Rental Car (CONRAC) facility with more than 500 hinged aluminum elements that sway in the wind like grasses. The surfaces of the metal panels capture color from the sky and the surrounding environment, creating an ever-changing mosaic of sky and wind currents.

The artwork is uniquely tied to the atmosphere and climate of Nashville, drawing its energy and animation directly from the moment-to-moment conditions of the local environment.

Kahn states, “My hope is that the artwork will function as a register for the ever-changing wind and create a unique kinetic portal for Nashville that will remind people of the magic and mystery of the world that we live in."