Lennon's lyrics in airport touchdown

Sep 21 2006 By Sam Lister Daily Post Staff

A GIANT coloured vinyl quoting John Lennon lyrics has been installed at Liverpool airport.

The artwork is the last one from this year's Liverpool Biennial to be completed and is now on display to passengers.

The work, by Portuguese artist and political activist Rigo 23, has been hung around the check-in area, arrivals area, and on the glass facade of the airport terminal building.

They are daubed with excerpts from Lennon's songs.

These include such titles as Give Peace a Chance, Imagine, Well Well Well and Give Me Some Truth.

The piece looks at how the former Beatles' words are still significant today.

Lewis Biggs, chief executive of Liverpool Biennial, said: "As in our previous festivals, Liverpool Biennial is hugely grateful for the support of Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

"The artwork by Rigo 23 on the facade of the building, in the arrivals and departure areas, engages with the current political climate and was especially commissioned as a partnership between Liverpool Biennial and LJLA.

"Rigo 23 is based in San Francisco, and this commission adds to the airport's unique ambition to be a destination for international art in its own right. Watch out for new developments in 2008."

Rigo 23 is the name the artist, Ricardo Gouveia, adopted as a teenager in high school when he was involved in producing a controversial publication.

He also created the much-talked about caged lion pieces on St George's Plateau.