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The Slipstream sculpture frames the entrance to the new Heathrow Terminal 2 |
UK. Heathrow Airport today unveiled Slipstream, by renowned British artist Richard Wilson, at the new Terminal 2, which opens in June. The piece is set to become one of Britain’s most viewed public sculptures, seen by 20 million passengers a year.
Slipstream was commissioned by Heathrow to welcome passengers to the UK’s hub airport and has been curated by public arts agency Futurecity. It weighs 77 tonnes and measures 78 metres. It is said to have been “inspired by the world of aviation, capturing the imagined flight path of a small stunt plane”.
The work is supported by four structural columns and is suspended 18 metres above the ground as it carves through the entrance court of Terminal 2.
Wilson commented: “After over two years of hard work I am delighted to see Slipstream finally unveiled in Heathrow’s new Terminal 2 : The Queen’s Terminal today. Slipstream is my largest sculpture to date and I have enjoyed the challenge of working on such a monumental scale and also working alongside such inventive engineers to realise this work. Slipstream is a metaphor for travel, it is a time-based work that responds to its location and I feel honoured that Slipstream will go on to be seen by millions of visitors travelling to and from the UK each year.”
Lead architect Luis Vidal said: “Terminal 2 was designed to be a destination in itself. LVA’s objective was to attract passengers to arrive earlier than their departure time in order to enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and experience the wide range of amenities, services and retail Terminal 2 has to offer.”
The old Terminal 2, opened by The Queen in 1955, was demolished after 54 years of service. It was Heathrow’s first terminal, originally called the “Europa Building” and was designed to deal with 1.2 million passengers a year. By the time it closed in 2009 it was handling 8 million passengers a year. Heathrow has invited Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to officially open the terminal on 23 June.
Terminal 2 will be a new international gateway for the UK, a home to 23 Star Alliance airlines as well as Aer Lingus, Virgin Atlantic Little Red and Germanwings carriers.
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The work weights 77 tonnes and measures 78 metres |
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