In December 2018, “Air/Traffic/Control”, designed by Ivan Toth Depeña, was installed in each of the 6 elevator lobbies at the Nashville International Airport’s new Ground Transportation Center and Terminal Parking Garage in Nashville, TN. 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. In this case, the LED components produce a visual response and act as a cognitive representation of the movement - 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” that 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.