Thor_Sunde's photostream

Thor Erling Sunde & John Nutter.
Kelowna International Airport Atrium.

The Work
This massive metal and glass sculpture reveals a flight of birds ready to escape. The birds and glass etchings depict species and symbols from the Okanagan's natural history. This commission was part of the Airport Terminal expansion project and is the focal point of the atrium at Kelowna International Airport.

All images applied to the glass are created through an abrasive etching process called sandblast carving, using aluminum oxide as the abrasive. The glass is first covered with a layer of rubber resist. The art work is transferred to the resist as a line drawing and all lines are cut with a knife. These areas are exposed one at a time.

The total height of the finished sculpture is 15 feet with a width of 9 feet. The bent glass itself weighs a total of 2880 lbs., when the weight of the stainless steel metal frame is added the entire piece weighs 5200 lbs.

The Project
The open, two stage competition invited an artist or team of artists to design and construct a piece of public art to be placed within the atrium of the Kelowna International Airport Terminal.

The first stage of the competition attracted forty-four candidates. Four proposals were shortlisted.

The second stage of the competition culminated in the selection of John Nutter & Thor Erling Sunde’s proposal for 'Escape to Stella Polaris.'

Fabrication of the sculpture was completed over an eight month period, and the $110,000 commission was installed and dedicated on June 30, 2000 as a part of the grand opening of the Airport Terminal expansion.

Thor Erling Sunde & John Nutter.
Kelowna International Airport Atrium.

The Work
This massive metal and glass sculpture reveals a flight of birds ready to escape. The birds and glass etchings depict species and symbols from the Okanagan's natural history. This commission was part of the Airport Terminal expansion project and is the focal point of the atrium at Kelowna International Airport.

All images applied to the glass are created through an abrasive etching process called sandblast carving, using aluminum oxide as the abrasive. The glass is first covered with a layer of rubber resist. The art work is transferred to the resist as a line drawing and all lines are cut with a knife. These areas are exposed one at a time.

The total height of the finished sculpture is 15 feet with a width of 9 feet. The bent glass itself weighs a total of 2880 lbs., when the weight of the stainless steel metal frame is added the entire piece weighs 5200 lbs.

The Project
The open, two stage competition invited an artist or team of artists to design and construct a piece of public art to be placed within the atrium of the Kelowna International Airport Terminal.

The first stage of the competition attracted forty-four candidates. Four proposals were shortlisted.

The second stage of the competition culminated in the selection of John Nutter & Thor Erling Sunde’s proposal for 'Escape to Stella Polaris.'

Fabrication of the sculpture was completed over an eight month period, and the $110,000 commission was installed and dedicated on June 30, 2000 as a part of the grand opening of the Airport Terminal expansion.

Thor Erling Sunde & John Nutter.
Kelowna International Airport Atrium.

The Work
This massive metal and glass sculpture reveals a flight of birds ready to escape. The birds and glass etchings depict species and symbols from the Okanagan's natural history. This commission was part of the Airport Terminal expansion project and is the focal point of the atrium at Kelowna International Airport.

All images applied to the glass are created through an abrasive etching process called sandblast carving, using aluminum oxide as the abrasive. The glass is first covered with a layer of rubber resist. The art work is transferred to the resist as a line drawing and all lines are cut with a knife. These areas are exposed one at a time.

The total height of the finished sculpture is 15 feet with a width of 9 feet. The bent glass itself weighs a total of 2880 lbs., when the weight of the stainless steel metal frame is added the entire piece weighs 5200 lbs.

The Project
The open, two stage competition invited an artist or team of artists to design and construct a piece of public art to be placed within the atrium of the Kelowna International Airport Terminal.

The first stage of the competition attracted forty-four candidates. Four proposals were shortlisted.

The second stage of the competition culminated in the selection of John Nutter & Thor Erling Sunde’s proposal for 'Escape to Stella Polaris.'

Fabrication of the sculpture was completed over an eight month period, and the $110,000 commission was installed and dedicated on June 30, 2000 as a part of the grand opening of the Airport Terminal expansion.

My business card designed by Yuri Doric: www.yuridoric.com/

My business card designed by Yuri Doric: www.yuridoric.com/