The sculpture “Flight in mind” by artist Olivier Strebelle has been moved from Brussels Airport to the Belgian art foundry Art Casting in Oudenaarde. The sculpture was damaged during the attacks at the airport on 22 March and will, in the months ahead, be restored in the foundry with the intention of giving it a new location. The sculpture will be given a place outside the terminal, but it is not yet known precisely where this will be.
“Flight in mind”, a work by artist Olivier Strebelle, which stood in the departures hall of Brussels Airport, has been transferred to the specialised art foundry Art Casting in Oudenaarde. Brussels Airport Company consciously chose a leading Belgian foundry to handle the restoration of this iconic sculpture. The work was damaged during the attacks on 22 March on the airport and was consequently removed from the terminal.
In consultation with the artist, the decision was taken not to repair the work, but to restore it instead. The sculpture bears the marks of the explosions; these will remain as a reminder of the victims. The plinth was no longer stable and will be reinforced. The sculpture must then be re-attached to the reinforced plinth.
The sculpture will be given a new location on the airport. The exact place has not yet been decided, but Brussels Airport Company has decided that the sculpture will be situated outside, so that visitors can easily visit it without having to go too far onto the airport grounds. For this reason, the sculpture will also be given a new coating so that it can withstand all weather conditions.
The restoration is expected to take at least six months.
