The photo on the right shows part of an art exhibition at the Frankfurt airport.
One person deserves credit for this: Ruth Kadish.
Ruth, a forty-five year close friend of mine, was on the board of the San Francisco Airport Commission a few decades ago. When a major airport expansion was underway Ruth saw in the plans a long boring stretch of walkway in the United wing and decided to put a linear art gallery in the space. She had to fight off the San Francisco Art Commission who heard about Ruth’s idea and wanted to control the space. Ruth had to fight off the incompetent group, the Art Commission, so that a first class level of exhibition, and a first class group of curators could be created to handle the exhibits.
Ruth succeeded and her gallery became the model for every other airport art exhibit on the planet. Over 10 million people a year see Ruth’s art gallery, more than any previous art gallery in history. Ruth was partially and inadequately rewarded by naming a small gallery at the S.F. airport in her name.
When you fight to win on something important don’t expect to be fully appreciated.