Travelers through Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) can now experience a new layer of cultural richness with the installation of Convergence / Austin, a public art piece from Austin-based Beili Liu Studio. Through the nights of September 22 to September 26, between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., this artwork unfolded in the high bay triangular area across from Gate 15 within the airport's Barbara Jordan Terminal, as stated on the official City of Austin website.
The piece is a quiet testament to the city’s growth, designed to reflect the essence of AUS as a hub where diversity meets and commingles. "Convergence is an installation inspired by this spirit of growth. The title celebrates the moment when individuals come together to form an energetic, vibrant community," Beili Liu said in a statement released by the City of Austin. She captures an idea relevant not just to an airport, but to Austin itself, mirroring its rising profile as a center of culture and innovation.
Spanning 16 feet by 12 feet, Convergence / Austin becomes a part of the traveler's experience as it hangs in the terminal, made up of roughly 400 strands and featuring 3,200 elements that form a dynamic visual statement.
Consideration for the environment and local wildlife, especially birds, was integral to the design process. Lightweight materials were used specifically to deter birds from perching on the art installation. The piece is also designed with cleanliness in mind, incorporating maintenance measures to sustain its intended allure.
The art installation was funded through the 9-gate Terminal Expansion Program II, as part of the Art in Public Places (AIPP) initiative, which has committed a set 2% of eligible capital improvement project budgets for artistic enhancement of City-owned properties since 1985. It's noteworthy that the funding sources for projects like these, including airport revenue bonds and Federal Aviation Administration grants, do not dip into local taxpayer dollars but are supported by airport-generated revenue and designated funds, assuring that Austin’s growth benefits its residents without undue financial burden.
