light to sky

2006
bronze cast, unique edition
16 feet x 7 feet x 7 feet (5m x 2m x 2m), 2006
Permanent Collection, John F. Kennedy International Airport
Arrivals Hall, International Air Terminal - Terminal 4, New York City

JFK I N T E R N A T I O N A L A I R T E R M I N A L L L C
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: JFK IAT - Terminal 4
"LIGHT TO SKY" SCULPTURE TO BE UNVEILED AT JFK'S TERMINAL 4

Renowned Bulgarian Sculptor creates one-of-a-kind bronze sculpture using 5000-year old "lost wax" method NEW YORK, N. Y. - Jan. 11, 2006 - JFK Airport's Terminal 4 is about to unveil its latest major artwork display - "Light to Sky", a 16-foot bronze sculpture by renowned Bulgarian-American artist, Dimitar Lukanov. Created with a 5000-year old process known as the "lost wax" method, "Light to Sky" will be unveiled in the center of the terminal's Arrivals Hall on Wednesday, January 11th at 4:00 p.m. "Light to Sky" with its intricate and delicate design gives the impression of movement by being both transparent yet solid. Its boundary-less silhouette, like a staircase to the sky, conveys the movement of the international travelers passing through the terminal.
Dimitar Lukanov began creating "Light to Sky" in September 2004 and the sculpture was completed in October 2005. The lost wax method is a labor-intensive, ancient process in which beeswax is molded as a cast for the bronze and is then melted, making the wax disappear, hence the term "lost wax". In the case of "Light to Sky", eight large parts were created directly in beeswax and served as a unique model to create the one-of-a-kind sculpture, which cannot be reproduced. "Light to Sky" is unlike any other artwork at Terminal 4. We're proud to display the sculpture in the center of our Arrivals Hall where it will be seen by both travelers and their family and friends who come to greet them. The beautiful bronze sculpture, a highly esteemed piece in our collection, will be on display in the busiest area of the terminal," said Janice Holden, director of marketing and business development for Terminal 4. "Light to Sky" joins other distinctive works of art currently on display at Terminal 4 including such prestigious pieces as Alexander Calder's iconic mobile "Flight and a re-creation of Arshile Gorky's "Modern Aviation", as well as "Voyage", an eight-foot, crystal chandelier by Yves Behar. Terminal 4 has one of the largest privately funded collections of public art in New York City.
In addition to the Calder and Gorky pieces, there are three works of art specifically commissioned for permanent display at the Terminal: Elizabeth Diller & Richard Scofidio's "Travelogues", artist Harry Roseman's "The Curtain Wall", and "Walking New York" by Deborah Masters. Thousands will view "Light to Sky" daily as they enter the Arrivals Hall at Terminal 4. The hall is open to the public and the sculpture will be on view indefinitely. "Light to Sky" was sponsored by Mr. Yves Bouvier, Chairman of the Geneva-based Art Culture Studio, as well as by an anonymous American benefactor.
Dimitar Lukanov was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and has studied art in Sofia and Paris. He received a full scholarship to the Parsons School of Design where he earned a BFA with honors. He also has an MFA from Columbia University with a fellowship at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. On the faculty of Parsons in New York, he has taught in France, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. He exhibits widely in the U.S. and abroad and has been the recipient of numerous grants and a fellow of several institutions throughout the world. His sculptures can be found in private and public collections in the United States, Switzerland, France, Mexico, Italy, Germany, Canada and others.
Terminal 4, the 1.5-million-square-foot facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport opened in May
2001 and has an annual passenger volume of 6.5 million air travelers. Terminal 4 is home to nearly 50 international and domestic carriers representing 37 countries. JFK IAT is the first private, non-airline consortium selected by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to develop and manage an airport terminal. For information visit www.jfkiat.com.