b'80 AUSARTSCAPESPHOTO: RACHEL KAY, RACHEL-KAY.COMFlight 123 on UtopiAirNow Boarding for Shangri-La The magic of air travel is alive and well at Austin-Bergstromsafety and humor, a brass plaque reads, This is an interimaginary International Airport (AUS) in Texas. A whimsical exhibitportal. This is definitely not an exit. called Interimaginary Departures, located between Gates 12A cast bronze kiosk with an image of a duck-rabbit issues and 14, features a full-size holdroom filled with interactive multimediasouvenir tickets/boarding passes, but only after passengers use features for ticketed passengers to explore and enjoy.the touchscreen to answer esoteric questions such as, Is doing At first glance, the area identified as Gate(the infinity symbol)nothing something? and What would a square circle look like?.appears to be a typical airside lounge. But on closer examination,Standard bench seating is installed askew, and one row bisects its soooo much more.a holdroom wall. Fancy claw-footed ottomans seem like they might Realistic flight information displays provide details about fictionalmischievously rearrange themselves. itineraries to fanciful places such as Hogwarts, Lilliput and Atlantis,Look closely at the carpeting, and youll find surreal images of on carriers with names like DystopiAir, PanAche and Airudite. Inthree intertwined hares that share only three ears. Janet Zweig, all, there are 120 different destinations, with clever references tothe artist who created Interimaginary Departures, explains that this literature, gaming, science fiction, film, animation and comics,image can be spotted throughout the worldfrom 6th century ensuring amusement for guests of all ages and walks of life. Chinese caves to medieval European churches. She included the As air service continues to expand here in Austin, this workimage in her artwork at AUS as an Easter egg for observant shows that if you can imagine it, AUS can help get you there,viewers to find. And its not the only one. quips Airport Chief Executive Officer Jacqueline Yaft.The exhibit as a whole was commissioned by the city of Austins Audio announcements at Gateinclude pre-boardingArt in Public Places Program and funded with $950,0000 from instructions about using the airports shrink ray and way-backthe airports Terminal Expansion Capital Improvement Budget. It is machine. The rotating loop also provides weather and tips forintended to be a permanent installation.various destinationsMake sure to bring sunglasses to AsteroidZweig says she hopes that the one-of-a-kind exhibit helps B112and offers general advice such as, Please try to rememberdistinguish AUS as a unique location for experiential art and an to not behave like a grown-up.airport with a playful sense of humor. Bright white light streams from majestic double doors, hintingTo see and hear more of Interimaginary Departures,that something magical lies behind them on a boarding bridge. Forvisit vimeo.com/661772538. March | April2023AirportImprovement.com'