"Constellation of Departure": Presenting the Atmosphere of Airplanes Taking off at an Airport Departure Lounge

Abstract

The use of large visual displays in public spaces has become increasingly popular. Installation of these displays can be challenging, however, especially in already existing buildings because of the large, rigid hardware often required by such displays. In this paper, we discuss a digital public art display called "Constellation of Departure" which is deeply embedded in the ceiling of an airport departure lounge. The overhead art features a moving silhouette of an airplane taking off according to flight timetables and reminds travelers of other passengers' various trips. The pixel arrangement of the LED display is based on the positions of stars on the night when the terminal building first opened, and it is carefully designed and implemented to blend in well with the environment. We then explain the details involved in the production, strategy, and process of the project's implementation and discuss the findings drawn from the course of the three-month installation.