The Gaîté Lyrique’s ‘Aéroports’ is a diversion from their typical topic choices; a theme universally known and rarely explored: air traffic and airports. Cross the boarding gate and pass the labyrinth of safety cords designed by Matthias Gommel, where you will start to feel distinctly as if you are in an airport. This is reality, with a heavy dose of quirk. From Jasmina Cibic's bulletin board indicating imaginary destinations to Marnix Nijs’ portico, it’s an intriguing mix.
Although at times light-hearted, the works are poignant too, mirroring our society and current affairs. Adrian Paci's film addresses the issue of immigration and the Muslim Ban, while David Thomas Smith’s Google Earth screen shots of airports highlight the increasing destruction of the planet. Cécile Babiole’s aerial corridor confronts the visitor in real time with the painful sounds aeroplanes overhead, then birdsong to echo an anguish similar to that preceding the takeoff. Fanchon Bonnefois and Camille Demouge’s 'SexCloud' transforms a duty-free shopping area into a palace of pleasures, and we can make out neon models through faded architecture and fog. Proof that sex is just as much of a commodity as cheap liqueur and giant bags of candy.
Expect new technologies, interactive exhibits (which we would have liked to see more of) and ironic lighthearted poetry like An Te Liu's Freudian message signs and the "All right, good night" flag (the last words of the captain of the MH370). 'Aéroports' is one of the Gaîté’s more inventive exhbitions and it is an unique opportunity to get a bird’s eye on something we are so blasé about. Don’t miss Yorgo Tloupas’ data-map of the airports around the world.