Be a Part of Lighting Up MSP Airport

Jun 5, 2018

Minneapolis-St. Paul—Internationally renowned artist Jen Lewin, who was selected by a Blue Ribbon Committee of leaders in the airport and Twin Cities arts communities in April to develop a large-scale artwork at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, is holding a series of public events to talk about the project and invite input from the community.

“Jen’s artistic combination of light, sound and technology is perfect for connecting with today’s audience and for reflecting today’s modern airport. It unites people in a unique, shared experience,” said Robyne Robinson, consulting Arts and Culture director for the non-profit Airport Foundation MSP.

The two-story work to be developed by Lewin will connect the arrivals and departures levels of Terminal 1 through a giant opening between the levels. Part of a years-long capital improvement project to modernize the terminal’s arrival and departure facilities, the artwork will anchor the central gathering space being developed in both lobbies.

“Nearly 23 million people a year begin or end their travels at Minneapolis-St. Paul International and will experience this piece of art, so it will hands down be the most viewed artwork in Minnesota,” said Tom Anderson, chair of the Arts@MSP Steering Committee, which oversees arts and culture projects at the airport. “Jen Lewin specializes in technology-based, interactive projects that are brought to life by the active participation of the viewer. Engaging the community from the earliest stages of the project is an important part of Ms. Lewin’s artistic process. These events are a great opportunity for people to provide inspiration by sharing their reflections on Minnesota with the artist.”

People have three opportunities in June to hear from Lewin and to relate their perspectives about Minnesota:

Thursday, June 7, 6 to 8 p.m., Weisman Art Museum, William Shepherd Room, 333 E. River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Friday, June 8, 6 to 8 p.m., Weisman Art Museum, William Shepherd Room, 333 E. River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., University of Minnesota, Northrop Best Buy Theater, 84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

All the events are free and open to the public.

Those unable to attend any of the events can still provide input by taking Lewin’s brief survey at tinyurl.com/y8ex2vpj. The survey will be open through July 15, 2018.

Lewin was selected through a vetting process that included an invitation to 59 artists from Minnesota, the U.S. and elsewhere who are experienced in creating large-scale public artwork.

The Blue Ribbon Selection Committee received applications from 38 artists, five of whom were chosen to be interviewed.

Lewin will be assisted in the effort by a Minnesota collaborating artist chosen through an open call process.

Members of the Selection Committee included:

Jack Becker, Founder and Director of Community Services, Forecast Public Art
Lyndel King, Director, Weisman Art Museum
Colleen Sheehy, Executive Director, Public Art Saint Paul
Jay Coogan, President, Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Mark Addicks, Retired CMO and Senior VP, General Mills Corporation
James Garrett, Jr., Managing Partner and Architect, 4RM+ULA
Mohammed Lawal, Principal Architect and CEO, LSE Architects
Sharon Sayles-Belton, VP Government Affairs and Community Relations, Thomson Reuters; former Mayor of the City of Minneapolis
Erica Prosser, former Commissioner, Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC)
Alan Howell, Senior Architect, MAC
Phil Burke, Director MSP Operations, MAC
Jeff Nawrocki, Asst. Director MSP Operations/Facilities T1, MAC
Robyne Robinson, Consulting Director, Arts@MSP
Jana Webster, Executive Director, Airport Foundation MSP
Thomas Anderson, Chair, MSP Arts & Culture Steering Committee

Funding for the project will come from MSP’s percent for arts program, a dedicated source of funds for art from public-area capital projects at MSP. The program was activated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission in 2016.

For information about Jen Lewin and to see examples of her work, visit www.jenlewinstudio.com.