Giant flamingo lands at Tampa International Airport
American flamingos native to Florida were so aggressively hunted for food and plucked for their feathers that by 1900 they were all but wiped out. Over many years, imported and captive flocks of flamingos, bolstered by fly-ins from Cuba, the Bahamas and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula helped rebuild the wading bird's presence.
Today, the lanky-legged, long-necked, pink flamingo is strongly connected to south Florida in popular culture. The popularity of plastic flamingo lawn ornaments, the opening credits of the "Miami Vice" TV show and the flamingo logo on Florida lottery tickets may have something to do with that.
Now one of Florida's most well-known birds is moving into Tampa International Airport (TPA). Not a live flamingo, but a giant one.
A 21-foot flamingo sculpture by Matthew Mazzotta depicting a flamingo gently dipping its head beneath the surface of the water is being installed in the center of TPA's main terminal.
The giant bird's head, neck and legs are already in place near The Shoppes at Bayshore. The sculpture is expected to be completed over the next few weeks.
In addition to offering viewers a close encounter with the head, neck, legs and feet of a giant resin and fiberglass flamingo, the immersive floor-to-ceiling installation is designed to create the feel of being underwater. Looking up, viewers will see a reflective and wavy surface that mimics the surface of water.
Related: These 7 airports have such stunning artwork, they're like museums
In his description of the work, titled "Home," Mazzotta explains that "the idea of 'home' in Florida is not only for people, but it is also home for the abundance of wildlife that lives here as well." He notes that the flamingo is one of the most iconic animals in Florida, "and even though its popularity and image graces innumerable pieces of memorabilia that claim to be from Florida, for years this beautiful bird has been thought to be non-native."
Recent research confirmed the American flamingo can indeed trace its roots to Florida.
Mazzotta says that the exaggerated scale of the flamingo is meant to put the lives of these birds in the focus, "and puts us, as humans, in awe as they tower above us, reminding us that we all share the same home."
Once completed, the sculpture is meant to be interacted with, touched, and of course, photographed.
"Tampa International Airport has always been a champion of iconic public art as a way to welcome our visitors and give them a sense of wonder and whimsy when they arrive in our beautiful region," said Chris Minner, TPA's executive vice president of marketing and communications in a statement. "We're certain that 'Home' will help create memories and inspire people of all ages who begin and end their travel journeys at TPA."
Related: Tampa International Airport is testing self-drive wheelchairs this week
More great art at TPA
The giant flamingo sculpture is just the latest public artwork at TPA. The airport has a broad and diverse art collection that it has been building over 50 years. The collection includes seven WPA-era murals from 1930 by George Snow Hill that tell the history of flight (on Airside E). One of the newest installations is Aaron T. Stephan's "Paths Rising," featuring three hundred ladders, in the walkway to the SkyConnect Atrium.
Tampa isn't the only airport with a giant sculpture of an animal inside the terminal. Across the country, in California's Sacramento International Airport, there's 56-foot-long red aluminum rabbit in the bag claim area. Lawrence Argent's sculpture is titled "Leap."
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.