Drifting Beyond Control by Carolyn Braaksma

Artist: Carolyn Braaksma - Denver, Colorado
Location: Exterior pedestrian walkway between Terminal 1 and 2.

Large scale cast-in-concrete bas-reliefs provide texture and design to a 500-foot long pedestrian corridor linking Terminals 1 & 2 at Lindbergh Field. The patterns are derived from images of marine microorganisms, plankton, kelp and marsh plants.

Artist's assistant Barb McKee (below right) fabricating the full-scale relief patterns. These are used to produce the large rubber molds that line the concrete forms before the panels are poured. Each concrete panel with reliefs measures 9 x 14-feet in size.

Artist's comments:

Below the glass-enclosed sterile corridor, the images on the outdoor concourse wall are derived from marine biology specific to the San Diego area/region. Inspired by the adjacent glass resembling water, visual content on the exterior wall will refer to underwater plants and animals. These images will group together, then spread out as if floating or moving in the water. Naturally occurring patterns will be enlarged in order to redefine such microorganisms as diatoms and plankton. Additional imagery such as algae, kelp, and marsh plants will provide other large scale textures and patterns.

A repeating visual system in precast concrete panels will allow images to be flopped, recombined, and manipulated to achieve maximum visual interest with minimal cost. Individual form liners for the precast concrete panels are reusable.