Darren Hoggard likely never imagined that a comment in passing would ignite a major art restoration production. But nearly 30 years as an American Airlines Skycap Captain at John F. Kennedy International airport, afforded Hoggard significant time to admire the murals that adorned the terminal’s walls. They were scheduled for demolition in 2007, and frankly, he was sad to see them go.
One day he casually shared that sentiment with traveler Beatrice Esteve. As it turned out, Esteve knew of the murals’ artist, Carybé, a fellow Brazilian. The artist won both first and second prize in a 1959 contest to create art for the terminal. The two works portray vastly different American themes. “Discovery and Settlement of the West” depicts journeying pioneers, and “Rejoicing and Festivals of the Americas” explores historic folklore celebrations of the Americas.
The massive paintings, made specifically for the terminal, were over 50 feet long and 17 feet tall, and difficult to maintain. After years of wear and tear, planners thought it best to let the murals gracefully bow out with their original owner — but Esteve had other plans.
Upon returning to Brazil she got into action, determined to save the beautiful works. According to the Associated Press, the plan unfolded like this: After Esteve talked to Hoggard, she called her friend Gilberto Sa, who also had known Carybé and his family. Sa was on the board of directors of the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht, which was building terminals at the Miami airport.
Sa, in turn, contacted Gilberto Neves, who heads Odebrecht’s U.S. operation, headquartered in Miami.
“Make sure that it’s not just going to be dumped in the trash,” Neves remembered Sa telling him.
Sounds easy enough. But Carybé had painted directly on the cement; this was no longer about rolling up some canvas. Further consideration determined the 6-ton murals be cut into 8-foot-long panels and each shipped separately to Miami.
The beloved art now lives on display in Miami’s International Airport. Hoggard, Esteve and Carybé’s family attended the official unveiling (he died in 1997). And despite the $2 million price tag, everyone seems more than happy with the way things worked out. Neves summed it up best though by saying, “How do you put a price to art to begin with?”
Photo courtesy of ElectroSpark via Electrosparkblogspot.