The famous chandeliers that once held centre stage in Manchester Airport have been reborn as an iconic art installation in its new £1.3bn super terminal.
For decades, four glass chandeliers hung in the former Terminal 1, greeting millions of people as they prepared to fly on holiday or for business – before being taken down in 2003. Since then, they have just represented a fond memory for those who recalled a favourite family trip or friends’ getaway.
Now, they have been brought back to life in a 482-piece installation that features colourful parachutes with stunning glass droplets made from the original chandeliers. They welcome passengers as they move from the security hall to the departure lounge in Terminal 2.
The installation, named Atmospheric Reflections of the North, references the North’s industrial heritage with a nod to the airport’s own history as a training facility for the Parachute Regiment in 1940 during World War 2.
The droplets are clustered into cloud formations, an appropriate nod to the weather in the North, with each parachute reflecting a unique pattern of lines that represent the flight paths of the airport.
Aluminium hexagon tags are attached to each chandelier, reflecting the city’s industrial history. Each one has been allocated to an individual or organisation associated with the airport. Replica commemorative tags have been made out of brass similar to memorial coins received during significant historical milestones.
The project was announced as part of the 85th anniversary of the airport to ensure that the transformation of Terminal 2 left a lasting legacy with a nod to the airport and Manchester’s own history.
The airport worked with Denton-based artist Liam Hopkins, of Lazerian, and Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) students to recreate the chandeliers. It was part of the MSA students’ MSA Live Project working on a real-life installation as part of their university degree.
The original chandeliers were commissioned as part the overall design of Terminal 1 by architect Stefan Buzas. They were created by Italian glassmaker Bruno Zanetti at the Venini factory in Murano, Italy.
Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said:
“The completion of the chandeliers marks a significant milestone in our £1.3bn transformation.
“The chandeliers reflect our airport’s rich history and Manchester’s as a whole. Having the chandeliers welcome our passengers into the departure lounge as they head in to enjoy the new, state-of-the-art super terminal is a fitting place for them and I hope passengers, colleagues and others enjoy them as much I do.
“Thank you to all involved in this project.”
Liam Hopkins, Artist and Founder of LAZERIAN, said:
“Atmospheric Reflections of the North is about transformation, memory, and the stories we carry with us through places. Rather than simply preserving the original chandeliers as objects, we wanted to give them a new life and allow them to become part of a contemporary artwork that reflects both Manchester Airport’s history and the identity of the North itself. Every glass droplet within the installation has witnessed countless journeys, departures, reunions, and moments of anticipation. By redistributing these historic elements into individual parachute forms, we’ve created an artwork that celebrates movement, connection, and the spirit of travel, while ensuring an important piece of the airport’s heritage continues to inspire future generations.”
Emily Crompton, Senior Lecturer at Manchester School of Architecture, said:
“This project illustrates the whole idea behind MSA Live. It’s great to see the students working on something that has a real-world impact. We’ve got a lot of international students, so I know that some of them will be walking alongside it. It’s a wonderful achievement for the students that so many people will see their work.”
The completion was marked by an event held in the terminal for all colleagues involved in the transformation of Terminal 2.
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