Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) is creating a sense of place, i.e., a unique combination of artful characteristics designed to connect passengers to the airport as well as its distinctive geographic location and culture.
On arrival at T1, as one alights and walks through the arrival corridor, 6 Vaishnav Dwarpals, male guardian figures which guard and protect the sacred precincts of the temples from benevolent forces, stand tall expressing the same effect on Arrival.
At T2, intricately carved panels in series welcome and gives a glimpse into the fine craftsmanship in woodwork which Gujarat has to offer.
As one approaches the baggage belt area in T1, a wooden arch exhibits a design typically followed by the craftsmen during 18th–19th century in Gujarat havelis and mosques. This slender pilaster painted in sea green colour has a stone base with lateral extensions at the back and decorated with floral carvings.
A bench placed by its side, invites one and all to take a pause and click pictures to document for a memorable experience.
At T1 Departures, all the available walls are replete with the textile stories, especially from Kutch region of Gujarat. Torana, bridal dowry cloth, prayer mat to bullock/camel saddle cloth and horn decorations are all hand embroidered with various stitches in colourful threads give a very ultra-modern look to each piece.
Along with these ‘Culture Quotes’ which gives a snapshot and essence of Gujarat culture through its artefacts, SVPIA is also a platform to showcase and give an opportunity to local Architect-designers to make art installation to celebrate the most popular festival of Ahmedabad, the Kite Festival.
Probably the longest ever kite installation in Ahmedabad this year, welcoming the New year 2022 is the ‘Wave of Life’ a fabric kite installation by Idea Factor (Niyati and Vishal) stretching over entire airport facade approx. 150 m long bringing life, movement and colour to its facade.
Another concept installation by TarangSagra, a CEPT qualified designer, brings life to the arrival corridor with its ceiling suspended installation ‘Patterns of Gujarat’ – a series of discs in various Gujarat fabrics bringing to viewer’s awareness of how Ahmedabad was also a textile capital for a long time.
