By: Sarah Kloepple | From: Biz Bash
Creativity might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of convention centers, known for their cavernous, utilitarian spaces. But these meeting meccas have long promoted public artwork. In the last decade especially, convention center designs have aimed to be more than just functional and now strive to inspire and reflect cultural values. Their expansive lobbies, atriums, and outdoor plazas also make prime locations for large-scale works. Below, we highlight a few standout pieces and collections from convention centers around North America, from British Columbia to Miami.
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center | San Antonio
The artwork found throughout the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio aims to reflect the city's growth and its connections to Texas and Mexico. The collection spans a wide range of media from paintings and murals to site-specific installations. An especially admirable work is "Liquid Crystal," which serves as the centerpiece for the center's grand lobby. Created by London-based Jason Bruges Studio, the piece is a 30-foot-tall tower-shaped sculpture comprised of 3,510 active digital LCD panels that are controlled by custom electronics to transmit and reflect light to varying degrees. As the panels modulate, they create an undulating, shimmering "liquid" effect. The studio drew inspiration from the San Antonio River and the flow of people in the convention center.