Terminal 5 (exhibition) facts for kids

The TWA Flight Center in June 2004, before the art show.

The Terminal 5 art exhibition was a special event in October 2004. It took place inside the old TWA Flight Center building at JFK Airport in Queens, New York. This building was designed by a famous architect named Eero Saarinen. The show was named "Terminal 5" because the building itself is now part of the modern Terminal 5 at JFK Airport.

What Was the TWA Flight Center?

The TWA Flight Center is a very unique and famous building. It was designed by Eero Saarinen and opened in 1962. For many years, it was used by TWA, a major airline. The building's curvy shape looks like a bird with wings, ready to fly.

In 1994, the City of New York decided that both the inside and outside of the TWA Flight Center were important historic landmarks. This means the building is special and needs to be protected. However, TWA airline had money problems. They stopped using the building in October 2001. After that, the beautiful building sat empty for a few years.

What Was the Terminal 5 Art Show About?

The "Terminal 5" art show was a chance for people to see the empty building and enjoy art at the same time. Rachel K. Ward was the person who organized the show. She brought together 19 artists from 10 different countries.

Some of the artists included Jenny Holzer, Dan Graham, Vanessa Beecroft, and Tom Sachs. The art included sculptures, sound installations, and other temporary artworks. Many of the pieces were inspired by travel and the building's amazing architecture. It was a unique way to experience art in an unusual place.

Why Did the Art Show Close Early?

The "Terminal 5" art show was supposed to run for several months. It was planned to be open from October 1, 2004, to January 31, 2005. However, it closed very suddenly right after the opening night.

During the opening event, a guest accidentally opened a door that led out to the airport runway. This was a big problem because it broke airport security rules. Because of this security issue, the exhibition had to close immediately to keep everyone safe.

What Happened to the Building After the Show?

After the art show, parts of the old TWA Flight Center were taken down. But the main part of the Saarinen building, called the "head house," was saved and fixed up. It was carefully renovated to keep its original look.

Today, the old Saarinen building is connected to a new, modern airport terminal. This new terminal opened in 2008. Together, the old and new buildings are now used by JetBlue Airways for their flights at JFK Airport. They are both known as Terminal 5 or simply T5. The art exhibition got its name from this future use of the building.

The "Terminal 5" art show was a memorable event. It was even chosen as one of the "Best of 2004" by Artforum, a well-known art magazine.