I recently had the chance to go on a “hard hat” tour of the new terminal that is still being built at the Norm Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. Within the new terminal the San José Office of Cultural Affairs Public Art Program (OCA)  is managing a changing art and technology public art program to commission artwork that will reflect the character of the Silicon Valley and provide an engaging introduction to the region. As part of this program, ZER01 has been invited to curate two large display cabinets. We are treating these as “Cabinets of Curiosity” or wunderkammern, which will include “small wonders” at the intersection of art, technology and digital culture.

One cabinet will be curated by ZER01 with a collection of projects that tie together art, technology, and the Bay Area. The display case will be designed by local designer Shona Kitchen and will contain works by mostly local artists, with a few national and international artists included as well.

The second cabinet will be a commissioned project by the Seattle-based, multidisciplinary artist collective SuttonBeresCuller. They will transform the display case and it’s intersecting column into a literal cabinet of curiosities using components drawn from the materials and technologies that have made Silicon Valley what it is today such as computer chips and parts.

The cabinets are located in the non-ticketed area between the ticketing lobby and arrivals, and will be installed in May 2010 and remain on view for a period of two years—be sure to check them out once the new terminal opens!