The Indianapolis International Airport

The four geometric primary shapes in both compositions are symbols in both Eastern and Western cultures of the four elements, earth, air, fire, and water. Traditionally the four elements are depicted as a square representing earth, a crescent or cup shape representing air, a triangle representing fire and a circle representing water. Combined, this quartet culminates in ether or more literally the spirit. Within these two compositions, I have organized the geometric progression so that the forms appear to twist and dance over the surface of the stone. Linear elements have been added to the forms in order to emphasize this movement. Carved in proximity to each of these forms is the Latin word for each element, Terra, Aqua, Ignis, and Aeris. The final image in the progression is the crescent, “air or Latin, aeris”. It is set apart and flying aloft in both compositions. The intent is to emphasize the primary activity of the airport, “flight” and also indicate the association of air to the freedom of the flight of the spirit.

The carved Native American imagery is intended to pay homage to the origins of Indiana’s historic heritage as well as the source of the state’s name.

The silhouettes of the state are a simple contemporary rendition of where and who we are. The visual movement of the repetitive silhouettes and the four elements portray a dance.

The association between the Native American imagery and the depiction of the political boundary of Indiana acknowledges the past and the present of this location. The four elements superimposed over this composition are intended to imply the alchemy of time and circumstances that have taken place. The culmination of the four elements celebrates the spirit of what we have become.