Serving over 88 million travelers yearly as the busiest airport in the world (yes, world!), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) occupies almost 4 square miles near the Pacific Ocean. Below we trace LAX’s rich history and reveal some “plane” cool facts and avantgarde art installations to check out on your next Hollywood landing.

The Roaring Early Years of LAX

Contrary to belief, LAX wasn’t always so aircraft crazed as citrus groves originally dot the landscape. But visions of flight took off in 1928 when the city bought 640 acres of land to construct Mines Airfield near Inglewood. After more land deals and WPA investment through the 1930s, Mines transformed into LAX we know today. 

With the glitz of Hollywood nearby, early LAX made splashy landings like Howard Hughes’ round-the-world speed record setter Hercules “Spruce Goose” craft and served as backdrop for flicks like Casablanca. Throughout the 1930s LAX cemented itself as major commercial airport with coast-to-coast service by 1938.

After rapid expansion through post-war commercialization, 1962 saw Jet Age upgrades to LAX including:

• Central hexagonal theme building for space age style

• Satellite concourse terminals ringed “Jet-sonically” around

• State of the art control tower still operating 24/7/365 today

Fast Fun Facts About LAX Today

Before touring art installations, digest these fast facts on current LAX operations:

• 4 parallel runways each over 2 miles long handle 1,700+ flights daily

• Passenger traffic equal to Kansas population…every 2 months!

• Serves over 90 airlines with nonstop service globally

• Multi-billion dollar ongoing expansion until 2028 Olympics

• 30,000+ staff running nation’s 3rd largest airport campus

• 120+ duty free shops for that last minute shopping!

• 13,300 short and long term parking spaces

• One of world’s largest aircraft maintenance bases

Public Art Making: “Plane” Spaces Come Alive

Getting lost is all but guaranteed in LAX’s frenzy but public art brings delightful discoveries. Installations make the mundane mesmerizing by tapping SoCal’s vibrant spirit. 

My highlight – 96 constantly changing colored lights blanket LAX’s iconic “hyperbolic paraboloid” shaped structure. This animated curtain dubbed “Air Garden” mirrors shifting moods like sunrise or even rippling waves. Dynamism fitting for fast paced LA!

In pre-security, Obscura Digital’s sweeping video wall projects larger than life California dreamscapes from Yosemite half domes to Malibu surfers. Sunny escapism before cramped cabin exile! 

Post check-in, floating campus art inject global perspective with sculptural set translating “United Nations” into over 140 languages spread ceiling to ground. Reminder above language divides, ideas traverse borders!

Near gates, 500+ suspended aircraft model sculptures representing LAX’s past create metal migration flying visitors to realities once possible. Let imaginations soar backwards while catapulting present possibilities!

So next time dashing to connect wayward flights in frenzied terminals, pause and let LAX’s art speak to humanity behind machinery hustle. These works make personable conversations from steel livelihoods.

The Future of LAX Beckons Like An Open Runway

LAX never sleeps even with nearby Hollywood glamour. As explosively expanding U.S. west coast portal stretching limits, LAX will see upgraded transport links, eco-friendly amenities and smoother passenger processing thanks to tech integrations enabling atmospheric tranquility despite below surface chaos.  

Better utilize HIDDEN SPACES AS CANVASES to implant perspective prompting placidity. Recognizing frantic floors conceal common hopes when united high above terrestrial tensions. 

Wherever runways guide one mathematically plotted trajectory after another, never stop envisioning life’s flight plan as an organic masterpiece. Chart course not just using rational coordinates but emotional bearings too. Import true NORTH STARING values direct to final destination residing internally, potentially unlocking externals once impossible fathomed. Consider bonus LEARNED LESSON when least expected as real true adventure!!!