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'harmonic convergence' installation by christopher janney, at the miami international airport in florida, USA
the work of american sound architect christopher janney, 'harmonic convergence' is an interactive sound and light installation,
constructed within the pedestrian walkway of the miami international airport in florida. to be officially inaugurated to coincide
with art basel miami beach and design miami 2011 this december, the piece replaces janney's 1997 commission at the airport,
'harmonic runway'.
the work combines light, colour, and sound as it leads passengers from a rental car terminal to the airport proper.
speakers installed at regular intervals along the walkway create a continuously changing 'sonic portrait' of south florida
as they play the sounds of tropical birds, thunderstorms, and other environments native to the region. video sensors at either end
of the passageway track visitor movement, causing changes in the density and composition of the sound piece relative
to the number of passengers in the space.

view of the western wall

closer view of the coloured glass
the work required that the shading louvers along the passageway's western side first be removed, increasing the light
and openness of the space. the existing glass panels were then replaced with coloured glass in a diagonal pattern
that mimics the existing X-bracing of the walkway. these columns, along with the floor and ceiling, were painted white
to catch the play of colour and sunlight.
to continue the installation's effect during night hours, janney replaced the existing fluorescent lighting
with a series of computer-controlled LED lights.

glass placement diagram

construction renderings

left: external view of the raised walkway, prior to the installation
right: interior view of the space prior to the installation
loved it. looks awesome. congrats.
Beautiful! Very nice
to live in a rainbow
very similar to olafur’s “your rainbow panorama”
… Stained glass of Chartres, suffusion (effusion) in the rear of dark and silent clarity, is the most convincing, the most ecstatic appearance of medieval transcendence…
…And at the same time, it bought its condition of servant art…
…Even its wealth forget ostentation for fervor. In short, the defects of decorative thereto return to virtues
Henri Van Lier – Les Arts de l’Espace, Casterman, 1959
The comeback of stained glass. Are we so afraid we need to look at us through filters of ecstasy?
um, this is basically a rip-off of Michael Hayden’s work in the United terminal at O’Hare…
Ah, design trainspotters and intellectual cynics, unable to appreciate a work for it’s simple joys. Why do we feel the need to tear down? Someone needs a hug methinks.
A…M…A…Z…I…N…G
oh the lighting effect is really nice. stained glass is everywhere so imo in this case what is a rip-off? (all after the 1st use of this technique…?)
anything that brings color to the world especially in a boring place such as a transport location (airport/ bus/ train stations et al) is welcome. color soothes the spirit and feeds the mind.. and other weird stuff.
this is positive