New art coming to MSP Airport; public invited to help shape it

New artwork is coming to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, likely to be installed in late 2019, and you're invited to help shape it.

Jen Lewin, known for whimsical interactive sculptures, will create a piece to span Terminal 1's arrivals and departures levels (an opening in the floor will accommodate the multilevel artwork). Light and sound, activated by sensors when people approach, animate many of her pieces — and make the public unwitting participants.

Now the artist is also asking the public to knowingly participate in her upcoming work's very creation.

Lewis and the Metropolitan Airports Commission will hold a trio of events in which Minnesotans can share their ideas:

Thursday, June 7, 6 to 8 p.m., Weisman Art Museum, William Shepherd Room, 333 E. River Road, Minneapolis

Friday, June 8, 6 to 8 p.m., also at the Weisman Art Museum

Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., University of Minnesota, Northrop Best Buy Theater, 84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis

People are also invited to fill out an online survey that will help guide and inspire the artist. Find the survey at tinyurl.com/y8ex2vpj.

Anyone who has visited the Be the Match building near Target Field has seen Lewin's work. She is the mastermind behind the Sidewalk Harp, a wavy protrusion along an exterior wall that lights up and plays musical notes with the brush of a hand.

MAC expects the artwork to be designed by the end of this year and installed in late 2019.

Lewis was selected by a committee, including Jay Coogan of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Mohammed Lawal of Minneapolis-based LSE Architects and Lyndel King of the Weisman Art Museum, who recently announced her retirement.