Art in Non-Places: Airports and Stations as Cultural Spaces

Angelo Argento argues that placing art in non-places like airports and train stations can transform these transient spaces into sites of cultural experience and reflection. Drawing on Marc Augé's concept of non-places, he suggests that art in such contexts can interrupt the distracted flow of travelers, offering moments of contemplation. Examples include Changi Airport's Rain Vortex, JFK's TWA Terminal, Naples' metro stations, and Fiumicino Airport's museum-like displays featuring Roman and Etruscan artifacts alongside contemporary works. Argento contends that site-specific installations, digital tools like QR codes, and live performances can deepen engagement, democratizing access to art for those who rarely visit museums. He cites philosophers Umberto Eco and Luciano Nanni on art's salvific value, arguing that art in non-places can resist consumerist passivity and foster critical reflection. The piece concludes that such projects can give identity to anonymous spaces, creating a dialogue between past and present and turning waiting time into an opportunity for growth.