Intergalactic Dreaming Exhibition Opens at San Diego International Airport

All images of Irene de Watteville's  Art can be viewed at the new west terminal in baggage claim.

Airport-wide display inspired by space exploration and the cosmos

San Diego International Airport (SAN) has unveiled Intergalactic Dreaming; the Airport Arts Program’s 2017 temporary exhibition. This year’s exhibition explores notions of celestial phenomena and astronomy, and uses past, present, and speculative depictions of the galaxy and space travel as inspiration. 

“A key goal of the airport’s Arts Program is to find creative ways to showcase the talent and cultural community of San Diego, and one way we accomplish that is through our temporary exhibitions program,” said Thella F. Bowens, President/CEO of the Airport Authority. “By highlighting collections and original artwork developed around a relevant theme, travelers and visitors through SAN are taken on a unique visual journey.”

The year-long exhibition features 15 distinct installations displayed throughout the airport by 15 different artists and organizations, including: Irene De Watteville; Adriene Hughes; Don Porcella; student artists from Southwestern College; Joshua Krause; Carolina Montejo; artists working with NASA/JPL-Caltech; objects from renowned science fiction collector, Edward Marsh; Matthew Bradley; San Diego Air & Space Museum; Sheena Rae Dowling; students from High Tech High Chula Vista;  Lisa Blatt; Melissa Walter, and Michael Giancristiano.

Exhibition highlights include:

• A ceramic galaxy of fantasy figures where the mythological meets storybook by Irene de Watteville. 

•  Photographs taken exclusively with a cell phone from Adriene Hughes’ DREAMING OF YOU series, challenging viewers to question the presence of extraterrestrial beings;

• Oil paintings featuring interstellar nebulas by Sheena Rae Dowling, as well as a piano adorned with her artwork, available for the traveling public to play;

• Sculptures embodying alter egos of students from High Tech High Chula Vista, made from pipe cleaners as part of an artmaking workshop with artist Don Porcella. 

To download hi-res images of various installations, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/sandiegointernationalairport/albums/72157677702219143.

In addition to temporary exhibitions, the Airport Arts Program includes public art and performing arts components, aimed at engaging travelers and creating an ambiance unique to the culture of San Diego. For more information about the Airport Arts Program, visit http://arts.san.org/.

Irene de Watteville

Irene de Watteville

Irene de Watteville

Irene de Watteville installation view