THE ALEXANDER CALDER MOBILE IS NOW INSTALLED IN THE ATRIUM OF THE NEW LANDSIDE TERMINAL AT PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

“I think it looks sensational. It’s one of the largest and most important mobiles. So it’s such an incredible asset for Pittsburgh to have.”

That’s the assessment of Alex J. Taylor, a renowned expert on the work of Alexander Calder upon seeing the artist’s 500-pound mobile called “Pittsburgh” now installed in the atrium area of the new landside terminal of Pittsburgh International Airport. Calder created the piece for the Carnegie International in 1958, and it’s been displayed now at three different Pittsburgh airport terminals since 1959.

“It looks much more delicate in this setting than it did in its prior space,” Taylor added.

The mobile, which carries an insurance value of $12 million, was the centerpiece of the airport’s media tour on Thursday that aimed to showcase much of the new artwork that graces the new terminal — even on the outside of the five-story parking garage.

“The idea from the beginning was not to build an airport in Pittsburgh, but to build Pittsburgh’s airport,” said Christina Cassotis, airport CEO. “It needed to reflect and serve this community by bringing in the assets of the community and putting them on display for the world to see. And we know Pittsburgh punches way above its weight when it comes to arts and culture and has a rich legacy of doing so.”

There are 15 artists who have contributed their work, 80% of whom are from Pittsburgh.

CHRISTINA CASSOTIS (FAR RIGHT), CEO OF PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, STANDS WITH SEVERAL OF THE ARTISTS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED WORKS TO THE NEW LANDSIDE TERMINAL AND OTHER AREAS. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

Calder, a Pennsylvania native who died in 1976, had several of his mobiles displayed at airports around the country, with one of the largest still hanging at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, Taylor said. “Some of those other airports, like Dallas and Chicago, lost them,” he added.

Still, the Calder mobile has a bit of a spotted history in Pittsburgh. After it was purchased by G. David Thompson and donated to Allegheny County, the county decided — without Calder’s permission — to paint the mobile yellow and green, the official colors of Allegheny County, said Taylor, an Australian who is associate professor in the Department of History of Art and Architecture at the University of Pittsburgh.

“He was very grumpy about it,” he said about Calder. Later, the mobile was painted red — an action that Calder approved — but the color came out more pink. Then, changes were made to prevent the mobile paddles from moving with the air currents. Another time, they put what Taylor called “a horrendous advertising booth” underneath the mobile.

“It was treated very poorly. It wasn’t until the 1970s that it was restored to its original colors” of black and white, like it is today.

“I think in the ’50s, airport officials probably didn’t quite understand what this thing was and the idea that they could repaint it probably didn’t seem so outrageous to them,” he said. “Of course now we understand it’s one of [Calder’s] greatest works.”

Keny Marshall, arts and culture manager at the airport, said the mobile, which had been removed from the current terminal a while ago, was in good shape and all it needed was a cleaning before they installed it last week.

Beyond the mobile, visitors to the new terminal will see artwork almost every place they go.

JASON BOONE (IN ORANGE VEST), OF URBAN TREE, STANDS IN FRONT OF ONE OF 17 WOODEN ENCLOSURES FOR FLIGHT DISPLAYS THAT HE HAS CREATED FOR THE AIRPORT. THEY ARE ALL CRAFTED FROM SALVAGED TREES. HE’S STANDING NEXT TO KENY MARSHALL, ART AND CULTURE MANAGER AT THE AIRPORT. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

Following the nature theme of the airport, Jason Boone, of Urban Tree, has built 17 wooden enclosures for flight information displays that are scattered throughout the airport. All are made of reclaimed white oak, from fallen trees.

Look down at the terrazzo floor, and you’ll see what artist Clayton Merrell calls “Easter eggs,” — silhouettes of leaves from 12 tree species embedded into the floor under the tree-like columns that support the roof of the terminal. The Carnegie Mellon University art professor designed the blue sky-like terrazzo floor in the center core area in 2015.

THIS WOODEN SCULPTURE AND OTHERS WERE CREATED BY FREDY HUAMAN MALLQUI. THEY DECORATE THE CENTERS OF SOME OF THE BAGGAGE CAROUSELS. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

Fredy Huaman Mallqui, an artist who is originally from Peru, has crafted six large wooden sculptures that hold court in the center of several of the baggage carousels.

ARTWORK ON THE BAGGAGE CAROUSELS BY JOHN PENA, WHICH INCLUDE MESSAGES ABOUT WHAT LUGGAGE IS THINKING. THE MESSAGES WERE CONTRIBUTED BY THE PUBLIC. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

In Baggage Claim areas 1 through 4, visitors will see the playful work of John Pena. There’s a sculpture on each carousel of a colorful piece of luggage. He posed the question to the public, “What does luggage think about?” He received 1,200 responses and several are shown in the split-flap “word clouds” (think the moving-schedule boards at old train stations) atop each piece of luggage. ”Back To The Cozy Spot.” “Person, Gotta Go.” “Don’t Worry.” “Stay Here Awhile,” are some of the messages.

There’s artwork even in the bathrooms.

Njaimeh Njie, an artist on the South Side, has designed collages on glass panels that will line the entry walls of the bathrooms on the arrival level.  These show colorful silhouettes of people on fictionalized Pittsburgh streets or other areas of the city.

In one men’s bathroom on our media tour, we saw Brian Peters’ undulating tiles — with valleys and peaks — that mimic the landside terminal’s roof, lining a wall over a baby-changing area. Another artist has crafted custom-made vases for the wall that will contain fresh flowers. You read that right: Flower vases with fresh flowers and baby changing tables in the men’s rooms!

In the International arrivals area, Alisha B. Wormsley has created “Portals,” wall cases containing items she gathered from the airport’s lost and found bins.

ARTWORK EVEN IS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FIVE-STORY PARKING GARAGE. THESE DESIGNS WERE CREATED BY ADAM KUBY. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

When you’re driving into the new terminal after it opens later this fall, take note of the artwork on the outside of the new garage. Adam Kuby, who is based in Portland, Oregon, has created “Cross Currents” — lines etched into the concrete in various designs.