Portaurora, a new permanent art piece designed by Sticky Co., a Portland- and Amsterdam-based artist team, transforms the airport experience into something magical. As travelers at Portland International Airport (PDX) make their way through concourse D to reach their gates, they enter the interactive Portaurora installation, which responds to each traveler's presence with a wash of colors and sound inspired by the northern lights.
Travelers at PDX have long enjoyed the best of local restaurants and shops. The airport even has a free movie theater showing locally made films. But until recently, this stretch of concourse D lacked an element that distinguished it from other terminals around the country. The Port of Portland, which owns and operates the airport, commissioned Sticky Co. to create a work that would transform travelers’ experiences as they move through the concourse.
Taking inspiration from the aurora borealis, Sticky Co. used custom software and electronics, LEDs, and IR sensors to create Portaurora, which welcomes each traveler by making their presence an essential part of the dynamically changing artwork.
“Although this is mostly a technology-driven project, we added a simple element – applying glitter to the ceiling – to enhance the aurora effect,” says Andrew Haddock, who leads the Sticky Co. team. “We wanted passengers to experience a bit of a surprise as they pass through the space. One of the pleasures of creating a piece like this is getting to see the delight of strangers as they interact with it.”
As a new permanent installation, Portaurora joins other signature features that make PDX a favorite airport.
“We want the experience travelers have within the airport to reflect what's special about our city and our region,” says Wendy Given, art coordinator for Port of Portland.
Travel + Leisure has ranked PDX the best airport in the US for six years in a row. The airport has won similar top awards from Condé Nast Traveler, J.D. Powers and Associates, and the Airline Pilots Association, International.
