Look up at the center of a skylight inside the Nashville International Airport and you’ll see a glittering array of once broken instruments reborn as art, covered in a myriad of colorful glass mosaics.
Bowling Green artist Gail Christofferson’s work “See the Music” was selected for display by a jury composed from members of Bonnaroo, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, and Arts at the Airport. The five artists who were chosen to display install their work offer a diverse range of artistic interpretations of the famous Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. The second annual Bonnaroo-themed art installations are suspended in the skylights at Nashville International Airport until January 24, 2016.
Christofferson’s “See the Music” is composed of 29 string instruments, including guitars, mandolins, violins, electric guitars and a cello. Eighteen instruments are suspended in the center of the skylight, and the remaining eleven are mounted on the rim of the concourse, surrounding Christofferson’s vision like a halo. Each of her instrument has its own unique motif; every design reflective of the mood of Bonnaroo’s eclectic experience, celebrating the power, joy, and inspiration of music.
The idea for the instrument mosaics came after Christofferson was given a broken guitar. The artist then began to rehabilitate “broken” instruments for another creative purpose. Christofferson said, “the shape and form of traditional string instruments still hold value, even after the audio quality is deemed useless. My work allows the instruments to continue to sing.”
Christofferson graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in Visual Communication. Her primary medium at the time was graphic arts, which she later employed while working in advertising. Christofferson now teaches classes in mosaic art for both children and adults in Northwest Ohio, in addition to creating her own work.
When she first started working in glass, it was a 3D tactile departure from the computer based focus of graphic design, which opened her up a new and exciting world of artistic possibility.
“I really fell in love with it. I learned how to do stained glass, but I really gravitated toward mosaic-ing,” which she describes as “looser and freer” in its approach.
It’s exciting to think that the work of an Ohio artist is currently being admired at the heart of an international hub of travel and cultural connection down South. Christofferson’s work “See the Music” is her first large commission outside of Ohio. This opportunity gives her dynamic style a national and international audience, and is a huge opportunity for the Bowling Green artist.
“I needed a fresh approach to the mosaic process. It was a good challenge,” Christofferson said.
For more information on Gail Christofferson’s work, check out animalhouseglass.com
