Mirror Trims - Betz Bernhard

Where is it?

Concourse C

The pieces in this concourse are located in the restrooms at Gate C-3 near Beecher's Handmade Cheese.

Concourse D

Bernhard’s trims are in the restrooms near Gate D-4 near Seattle's Best.

About the Art

Bernhard’s puzzle-like trims consist of four mosaics that depict playful images and International Air Transportation Association airport codes. On top of the brightly glazed ceramic tile mosaics are fifteen neon shapes in yellow, blue, red, and turquoise. The mosaics themselves consist of mirror, seashells, and cast glass.

Information courtesy of the artist

“Restrooms are well-named. They are quiet eddies surrounded by swirls of driven, stress-provoking activities. In the spirt of retreat and introspection, these panels invite viewers to examine their own interpretations of these works of art.” – Betz Bernhard.

The Details

Artist

Betz Bernhard

Date

1992

Medium

Mosaic mirror trims (ceramic tile, cast glass, found objects, neon)

Dimensions

4 panels, each are 8.5" height x 16' in length

Did you know?

The neon mosaics draw their inspiration from three aphorisms that reflect upon journeys within the mind. The aphorisms are:

"Angels fly because they take themselves lightly." – Jean Cocteau

"We are asleep with compasses in our hands." – W.S. Merwin

"There is a road from the eye to the heart that does not go through the intellect." – G.K. Chesterton

About the Artist

Bernhard’s mosaics provide to commonplace surfaces a sense of tactility and significance. Drawing inspiration from the natural elements found in her wooded garden, she incorporates neon and other objects that reflect the purpose of the site into her mosaics. This adds playfulness and dimension to places like pedestrian pathways, elementary schools, and restrooms such as these at Sea-Tac.

Short Bio

After attending Kansas City Art Institute for her B.F.A., Bernhard received her M.F.A. from the University of Washington. Bernhard is known throughout the Northwest region for her functional mosaic pieces that are painstakingly crafted by hand. She has completed projects for the Tacoma, Central Kitsap, and Issaquah School Districts. Embracing the challenge of creating public art, Bernhard is sure to include her interests and observations as a Pacific Northwest resident in her artwork.

Similar Artwork

Work by Betz Bernhard

Betz Bernhard created mosaics featuring a Gila monster and a crocodile for the Day Exhibit at the Woodland Park Zoo.

At the Airport

Bernhard's restroom mirror trims are not the only examples of integrated lavatory artwork past the security checkpoint; visit Marioni and Troutner's mirror trims and New Volute's restroom pieces by clicking the respective links below.

Mirror Trims - Betz Bernhard

Bernhard's mosaic panels provide visual interest to Sea-Tac's restrooms.