Lazerian's 500 suspended parachutes transform Manchester Airport terminal

Liam Hopkins’ studio, Lazerian, has unveiled a permanent piece called 'Atmospheric Reflections of the North' at the newly upgraded Terminal 2 of Manchester Airport. This installation pays homage to the Venetian glass chandeliers that were originally placed in 1962 and removed from Terminal 1 in 2003. It incorporates reclaimed Murano glass droplets within over 500 parachute-like forms, suspended above the walkway that links security to the departure area. This design nods to the airport's history as a WWII Parachute Regiment training site and reflects the local climate. Crafted with input from Manchester Airport, the Manchester School of Architecture, and community workshops, the artwork features shades of gray, blue, and warm colors, with aluminum tags honoring the renovation contributors. The setup was completed overnight while the airport continued its operations.