ART : ‘Edge’ Waits at the Gate for Airport Travelers

Canvas cocoons, a waxen goalie’s mask and blackened eggshells filled with ash help make up the “theater of form” that is “Focus II: Orange County Artists, Toward a Material Edge,” on exhibit at the John Wayne Airport. The show, organized to mark the second anniversary of the Airport Arts Program, highlights provocative works by 10 artists with Orange County ties.

The 26 paintings, pastels, sculptures, monoprints and mixed media pieces “focus our attention on the materials and methods by which they were produced but suggest the often-disquieting presence of something less tangible and more intimate,” says Bruce Guenther, chief curator of the Newport Harbor Art Museum, in his program notes.

Indeed, some of the works--such as Jerry Burchfield’s hallucinogenic photographic monoprints, Susan Hornbeak-Ortiz’s disturbing sculptures and Donald Karwelis’ brooding paintings--are downright haunting.

Each of the featured artists--Barbara Berk, Angie Bray, Carolyn Buck-Vosburgh, Kris Cox, Julia Klemek, Gary Martin, Hoang Vu, Burchfield, Hornbeak-Ortiz and Karwelis--has lived, studied, taught, worked or exhibited in Orange County.

Launched with the opening of the Thomas F. Riley Terminal in September, 1990, the Airport Arts program has coordinated exhibits highlighting the county’s history with those focusing on its creative community.

Program spokeswoman Maudette Ball says the art works in the bustling terminal challenge the idea that art is something “rarefied and shut away.” The program takes fine art out of the formal hush-hush setting of traditional museums and exposes travelers to things they otherwise may never see.

Because of their placement across from the terminal’s departure gates, this year the art works in the program should be seen by 5.5 to 6 million visitors, “a huge audience of people who perhaps haven’t had much art experience and may get hooked and start supporting our local galleries and art museums,” Ball said.

“Some people say they now get (to the airport) early to see the exhibit before boarding their plane,” Ball added. “It’s hard not to get excited about that.”

What: “Focus II: Orange County Artists, Toward a Material Edge.”

When: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Sept. 21.

Where: John Wayne Airport, opposite departure gates 1-4 and 11-14.

Whereabouts: Take the San Diego (405) Freeway to the MacArthur Boulevard exit. Follow the signs to the airport.

Wherewithal: Admission is free.

Where to Call: (714) 252-5219.