Larger Than Life - Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)

Two passengers stand head and shoulders above the crowd at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)—a woman in Concourse A and a man in Concourse C. Collectively, they comprise a work titled Gotta Go, by Gordon Huether. 

At more than 35 feet tall, each appears to be striding across the tarmac behind a large arched window at opposite ends of the terminal. The figures are so large, they can be seen from the central security checkpoint in between. While their silhouettes are muted shades of gray, the travel bags they carry feature intensely colored maps of the local Jacksonville area. The map sections appear to fluctuate in color with the time of day and viewing angle due to dichroic coating, making them “passively kinetic.”

Jen Jones Murray, Arts and Culture Program manager for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, notes that the highly visible pieces provide a soothing distraction for passengers who may be stressed from their travels. Others find the figures inspiring, she adds.

“Gotta Go was installed in 2008, and is really standing the test of time thanks to its complete and total universality,” observes Murray. “It effectively plays off the immense amount of the light in that part of the airport and complements some of the other super-successful artwork in our growing 13-piece permanent collection.”

From a practical standpoint, the giant silhouettes produce some of the best seats in the house by providing shade when it is especially sunny outside.

Throughout the last 26 years, JAX has showcased the work of more than 700 artists to more than 130 million visitors.