Marconi Calindas, a well-known Filipino-American artist, has recently completed a 60×30 ft. vinyl mural titled “A Flight To History.” The mural was commissioned to commemorate the 100th year of the Long Beach Airport in California and has been unveiled at the airport. The mural, which is located at the west side of Parking Structure A, features various landmarks of both the airport and the city of Long Beach, including the terminal building, Aquarium of the Pacific, Lions Lighthouse, and the Queen Mary.
During the unveiling ceremony, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson spoke about the city’s rich aviation legacy and its promising future in aviation, emphasizing the role of art in telling the story of the past and future.
The airport collaborated with the Arts Council for Long Beach on a nationwide call for artists and received 92 submissions. Calindas was selected as the winning artist.
Calindas expressed gratitude for being chosen to create the mural, describing it as a visual narrative that embraces the spirit of the airport’s journey. He views the mural as a beacon inviting travelers to engage with the city’s rich history and its vision for the future of aviation.
With a background in creating artwork with trademark black lines and pure hues, Calindas is known for his diverse subject matter, ranging from pop icons to triumphs of the human spirit. His work has been displayed in various public art projects and exhibits across the United States.
Additionally, Calindas has been recognized for his unique art direction, winning the Outstanding Art Direction award for the short film “Prinsesa (2014)” at the Scary Cow Short Film Festival in San Francisco, California.
