Suffering from terminal boredom? Airport art breaks the mould

Australian businessman Ken Woodman gazes at an oval-shaped, boulder-like glossy stainless steel object in the departure hall of Hong Kong International Airport. He's puzzled.

'What is it?' Woodman asks. 'I don't know what it is. I can't imagine what it is.' The frequent traveller to Hong Kong says he thought it was part of a racing car when he first spotted the silhouette of the new display.

'I quite like it,' he says. 'It looks like an egg - an egg gone wrong. It adds a bit to the flavour of the airport and is certainly not out of place.'

The 65-year-old passenger is looking at a sculpture named A drop of dew created by local artist Danny Lee Chin-fai. It's one of eight pieces of art on display in the terminal.

This is the first time the Hong Kong Airport Authority has commissioned pieces for what is the world's fifth busiest international passenger airport, which was designed by British architect Norman Foster.

'The intention is to give people departing Hong Kong a last impression of the city,' says authority commercial director Hans Bakker.

In providing a public platform for art, the airport is following in the footsteps of MTR stations, housing estates and shopping malls. Last December, it exhibited works by 18 artists along the central concourse. Through art, the authority wants to provide 'extra dimensions' for passengers to relax, enjoy the environment and even reflect for a moment, Bakker says. The new pieces are in the foyer of the East Hall after passport control.