Federal Judge Issues Restraining Order To Delay Destruction of Public Art at JFK Airport
April 24, 2012
Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Robert W. Sweet issued a restraining order against the Terminal 1 Group Association, temporarily halting their plan to destroy artist Alice Aycock’s sculptural public work “Star Sifter” to make way for a new food stands at JFK Airport. Installed in 1998, Aycock’s “Star Sifter” has been a fixture at JFK for over ten years. When the Terminal 1 Group Association told the artist and School of Visual Arts professor that they would be destroying her statue, she immediately sued, claiming that the removal of her work constituted breach of contract.
The original commission stated that “Star Shifter” would not be removed unless is it was “required or necessary to do so.” Aycock’s attorneys stated that these circumstances certainly do not qualify. Further, the piece also performs a safety function, serving as a net between the mezzanine from the departure area beyond the security checkpoint.
Aycock is a respected and well-established member of the national artistic community. She has created thirty-two public works, including pieces at other airports and suspended sculptures for the Sacramento Convention Center in California and the Rowland State Government Center in Waterbury, Connecticut. Additionally, MoMA, the Whitney, and the Brooklyn Museum all have Aycock’s works in their collections.
About the situation, Aycock commented that other airports that display her work have consulted her when they want to change the space, informing her in advance and working to preserve and reinstall the work. Distinguishing the behavior of these airports from that of JFK, Aycock told the New York Times, “They prioritize the work of art.”
The hearing to decide on a final injunction against destroying Aycock’s work will take place on Friday.
Read the full New York Times Article: At Kennedy Airport, an Artist Fights to Save Her Sculpture
