JFKIAT and Port Authority of New York & New Jersey expand the T4 Arts & Culture Program to curate a diverse art initiative that reflects New York City, including photography, murals, and tech-enabled interactive exhibits
Unique hologram experience brings Bronx Zoo’s animals to T4
Queens, New York – February 2, 2024 – Passengers traveling through John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 4 can now immerse themselves in a diverse mix of art ranging from digital and photography exhibits to a vibrant mural, as JFKIAT – the operator of Terminal 4 – unveiled a series of art installations as part of the T4 Arts & Culture program.
The installations feature a digital and static photography exhibit in collaboration with the Cradle of Aviation Museum, a mural representing Queens by local artist Zeehan Wazed, and a series of photographs captured by T4 employees who share their passion for aviation. Passengers will also experience a hologram installation in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society featuring extensive video elements about wildlife and wild places, including a hologram experience of Bronx Zoo’s animals and its director, Jim Breheny. The T4 Arts & Culture program presents a curated, ongoing series of installations, exhibits and performances within T4 throughout the year that represent the full New York City experience, from local art to food, culture and beyond. As the program moves forward, T4 will also house a collection of permanent art installations in the future.
“From a one-of-a-kind Queens-centric mural to a historical exhibition, exceptional photographs by our very own T4 employees, and a holographic Bronx Zoo exhibition, we are very proud to present a series of art installations that will encourage travelers to learn more about the diverse communities of New York City,” said Roel Huinink, CEO of JFKIAT. “At T4, we are committed to fostering a vibrant environment and providing a best-in-class customer experience, and we look forward to introducing more local programs that create a distinct sense of place within T4 and help to create unique and memorable experiences for our passengers.”
“The Port Authority understands the importance of artwork in transportation spaces to provide a sense of place along a journey, which is why we have incorporated local art into our planning and designs of our airport redevelopment work in New York and New Jersey,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “As we continue to add to our growing collection, our facilities become more than just a place to catch a bus, a train or a flight: we provide welcoming spaces that entice travelers to come early and stick around for a show or a museum-worthy art gallery.”
“Inspiring public art that establishes a uniquely New York sense of place is one of the cornerstones of the Port Authority’s transformation of the region’s airports,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “These new art installations at Terminal 4 reflect the diversity of our region and offer passengers a compelling look back at the history of Queens and the nation’s preeminent gateway to the world.”
Proudly reflecting on his home in Queens, local artist Zeehan Wazed depicts a vibrant, intricate design through his painted mural that demonstrates the borough’s heritage as the gathering place of New York’s diverse communities– and T4’s identity as the world’s gateway to New York City. From the henna on the streets of Hillside to the boomboxes on Jamaica Avenue, the Unisphere and more, Wazed’s mural – located at Gate B25 – reflects the hustle and bustle of Queens as well as the communities that intertwine to form the diverse tapestry of New York City, creating a sense of place and belonging for passengers traveling through T4.
“Having grown up close to JFK Airport in Jamaica, Queens, I strive to encapsulate all of Queens and its many cultures and demographics through my artwork,” said Zeehan Wazed. “I hope this installation will commemorate the surrounding neighborhood which I call home.”
Launching in celebration of Aviation History Month, From Idlewild to JFK presents a digital and static photography exhibition in collaboration with the Cradle of Aviation Museum that speaks to the history of JFK Airport. Located in the A-Concourse, the installation tells the story of how JFK Airport was established, highlighting the evolution of its predecessor, Idlewild Airport, from a group of makeshift buildings into a ‘jet-set city’ with spectacular buildings.
"The Cradle of Aviation Museum is proud to collaborate with JFK Terminal 4 in this new exhibit,” said Andrew Parton, President, Cradle of Aviation Museum. “As an institution dedicated to preserving New York’s aviation history, we are thrilled to have this opportunity to showcase the history of JFK."
From sloths to alligators, pelicans, warthogs and more, passengers traveling through T4 can encounter a variety of animals from the Bronx Zoo through an immersive holographic experience featuring Bronx Zoo Director Jim Breheny. The hologram is part of a new partnership between JFKIAT and the Wildlife Conservation Society, which features a mix of engaging and informative content that also includes micro videos that showcase terrestrial and marine animals and a short film that highlights the work of the Wildlife Conservation Society around the globe. Additionally, the partnership emphasizes the sustainability efforts of T4.
“The T4 Arts and Culture Program is an amazing platform to highlight the artists and cultural organizations in New York City,” said John Calvelli, Executive Vice President for Public Affairs at the Wildlife Conservation Society. “Through our partnership with T4, we will be educating visitors to the terminal about wildlife and how we all can protect nature. Potentially, 25 million people will see why New York City’s arts and culture community is one of the greatest in the world. At WCS, we are honored to be a part of this community project and we hope visitors to T4 especially enjoy the holograms featuring Bronx Zoo Director Jim Breheny and animals from our great zoo.”
As passengers make their way through T4’s Retail Hall, they can browse through a gallery of photographs of various airplanes that were taken by several of the terminal’s employees. Each individual’s passion for aviation shines through in their photographs, inspiring young travelers through their work. The exhibition features:
- Vincenzo Pace, director, Airport Solutions, at Unity Electric. Pace is a published professional aviation and aerial photographer and a lifelong aviation enthusiast. His photography has been published in various print and online publications worldwide, and has a respected following in the global aviation community. Born and raised in Queens, Pace is very involved in the JFK community, serving as the secretary of the JFK Airport Rotary and as an active member of the JFK Airport Chamber of Commerce and KAAMCO.
- Shubham Singh, an electrical and computer engineer, and assistant project manager for Terminal Redevelopment at JFKIAT. Singh was born in India and grew up in Queens and has a passion for aviation that he showcases through his Instagram page, @Airtographer.
- Edilson Norena, airside operations manager for JFKIAT. Born in Colombia and currently residing in Rockaway Beach, Norena holds a Bachelor of Science in aviation maintenance management and is passionate about airport terminal operations. He enjoys sharing his experience from ‘inside the airfield fence’ on social media with the goal of motivating others to pursue a career in aviation.
The T4 Arts & Culture program is part of JFKIAT’s and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s commitment to supporting the local community and providing enriching experiences for travelers that epitomize New York City. JFKIAT formed a committee to facilitate the program, including the Museum of the City of New York, Delta Air Lines, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Terminal Four Airline Consortium.
In 2023, JFKIAT announced the expansion of the T4 Arts & Culture program with the unveiling of the Museum of the City of New York’s inaugural triennial photography exhibition, New York Now: Home. The Queens-based digital installation featured artists who live in Queens or who make Queens the subject of their work.
Previous programs and installations at the terminal have included: a Pride Pop-up Museum in partnership with the LGBT Network and the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project, which highlighted a range of artwork and historical pride information; a partnership with Steinway & Sons to present a week-long series of performances in the Retail Hall spotlighting 19 local pianists and artists as part of a Valentine’s Festival of Music; a mental health-themed mural that raised awareness around mental health and helped to reduce the stigma toward people who experience mental illness, created as part of the NYC Mural Arts Project and displayed in the Arrivals Hall in 2022; and a powerful musical performance honoring 32 veterans at Terminal 4 in partnership with CreatiVets, in celebration of Veterans Day in 2022.
About JFKIAT
JFK International Air Terminal, LLC. (JFKIAT) is the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, one of the most active air terminals in the New York area, serving 22 international and domestic airlines with an annual passenger volume of more than 26 million travelers in 2023. In 2017 Terminal 4 became the first existing airport terminal in the U.S. to receive LEED Gold certification by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) for operations and maintenance, and in 2022 it became the first air terminal in the U.S. to receive Platinum recognition for pre-existing air terminals. The Terminal’s expansive Retail Lounge offers an unparalleled experience for travelers with a wide range of food and beverage and retail options, from chic to upscale and from convenience stores, to electronics, accessories, and gifts. Terminal 4 was the first air terminal in North America operated by a private management company. JFKIAT’s managing member is Schiphol USA Inc., a U.S. affiliate of Royal Schiphol Group.
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