Commission approves true blue finish for airport sculpture 'Motion'

The Beautification of Public Arts Commission voted to refurbish the airport sculpture known as Motion and approved a true blue finish during its Feb. 10 meeting.

Panel members, staff and the artist discussed five color options and conservation needs before the commission voted. The panel presented mockups and said the piece’s surface has faded and needs conservation to avoid corrosion.

The discussion centered on durability, public perception and site context. Staff said the sculpture was created in 2003 by a student at Northern Arizona University and originally used experimental car paint and a flame process, a finish staff will not attempt to recreate with the new powder coating. The artist told staff the refurbishment is welcome and “the work is intended to make a viewer look inward to determine why 2 lines in space cause a change in feeling and emotion.”

Commissioner Evelyn Edelman Heath, who participated in the color selection panel, summarized the panel’s reasoning: “We selected the true blue… it stood out better from the surrounding landscape. It was a better contrast to the sky, and it didn't pull adjacent colors like some of the roadway and signage yellows.”

After staff described five options — a glittery “galaxy” blue, a true blue, a sky blue, white and a cheerful yellow — the panel and the commission favored true blue. Staff said the chosen powder‑coat finish is more likely to hold up to weathering and that the project will use powder coating rather than attempting the original flame‑modeled surface. A motion to approve true blue passed on a voice vote.

The commission directed staff to proceed with conservation and repainting in the selected color; staff did not give a specific completion date at the meeting.

The commission’s vote followed a short presentation of images comparing the current, faded surface with archival photos. Commissioners also noted the artist’s approval of the revised color palette and the airport representative’s interest in the color tie‑in with airport branding.

The refurbishment is intended to stabilize the work and improve its longevity; staff said if the piece remains untreated it could continue to deteriorate and eventually rust.

Items for follow up: staff will finalize the powder‑coat specification and procurement approach and coordinate with the artist and airport operations on schedule and site work.