In many ways, airports are the world’s most advanced holding tanks. Humans bump around inside them aimlessly, sometimes waiting for hours to get out, always on their way somewhere and never really where they are. But in his article over at Icon , George Pendle implores you to look around. Or, to be more precise, to look down, at the “knotted kaleidoscope of shapes and colours, a flat-weaved cornucopia of scintillating signs and sigils, a polypropylene sea awash with dark and hidden beauty.” Okay, well we’ve never noticed any of that, but we admit, in airports we’re usually pretty tied up with a novel, or at least a soft pretzel. But color us intrigued. Click through for Pendle’s examples of exciting airport carpet design, and let us know what you think in the comments.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
According to Pendle, the Phoenix airport carpet design is an homage to “the treacherous vertical wind vortices that once made PHX one of the most inhospitable airports in the world… Approximately 60 aircraft have been lost since the airport opened in 1935.” Well, wonderful. We’re sure that travelers love to be subconsciously reminded of this as they walk to their gate.
LF Wade International Airport, Bermuda (BDA)
This looks like a daydream you might have had in the 70’s after eating too much melon. According to Pendle, “Its sheer frivolity brings to mind such carpets as Aeroporti Di Roma and Hull Airfield. “You stand on me,” it seems to say, “Why?””
Lynden Pindling International Airport, Bahamas (NAS)
This carpet is supposed to be relaxing, and soothing, all Bahamas-y and such, but those turtles look a little dead to us.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia (KUL)
Apparently, this abstract riot of color “has survived largely thanks to the attentions of the airport’s “bomoh”, or witchdoctor. When KUL becomes ripped or torn the bomoh performs a “main puteri”, or healing ritual, for in Malaysia it is believed that carpets that are in a state of disrepair have been possessed by Ahtran, the raggedy god. Despite these preventative measures, KUL is known as a bad luck carpet and is blamed for the airport’s high rate of flight delays.” Man, we hope that’s true.
Read the full article here.
[via Good]