Dear Editor,

I read a recent news report calling for artists to propose a mural design for the roundabout at Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston. I recall there was controversy when the iconic Air Jamaica (Love Bird) aeroplane tail was removed.

The tail was unique and beautiful; it also had cultural significance to Jamaica, even if the airline no longer exists. It was colourful, tropical, symbolic, and very much Jamaican in spirit. It was visible from every angle of the roundabout, day and night, without obstructing views. I’m yet to find another airport with such a striking entrance/exit as the Love Bird tail, a piece of our history.

The original tail design was replaced with another Jamaican design, then the tail was completely removed from the area. When news was released about the rehabilitation of the space, many had mixed views; I also wondered about costs. Even if the tail was rusting due to weather, I’m sure it could’ve been restored for a fraction of what they’re now spending. We have a penchant for ‘fixing’ things that aren’t broken, and not fixing things that really need to be fixed.

Since the tail was removed, attempts have been made to beautify the roundabout, I suppose it is now an ongoing work in progress. The elevated circle, with numerous cylindrical lights surrounding it, looks odd, out of scale, and lacking in creativity, even with the 3-D NMIA and KINGSTON signs.

The airport management must’ve realised that the area is unattractive and unwelcoming, especially at nights and early morn when it is dark. Now there is a call for artists to submit mural designs depicting Kingston as a creative city. I wonder how big this mural will be and whether it will fit the space in terms of scaling. Hopefully, it will not block views with traffic flowing around the roundabout. I can imagine a mural positioned on the side of the road as a billboard, but not in the middle of a roundabout, unless it is very small. It would also have to be double-sided in terms of the design. It will be interesting to see what they choose and the size and scaling relative to the space.

At one point we heard that a Jamaican flag would replace the plane tail, but nothing further became of that idea. We also heard that the tail would be refurbished and placed in a museum. I’m not sure which museum they were thinking.The company managing the airport might want to reconsider how they design the area and prioritise impact, functionality, size, and scaling to enhance the beauty of the small circular space.

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com