Flight Wave, located at Indianapolis International Airport, was inspired by the phenomenon of massive flocks of starlings moving in “murmurrations.” The piece itself is made from small pieces of dichroic glass, assembled to form abstract bird shapes and grouped to mimic how birds fly in groups.  The artists studied and mapped bird flights for months before finalizing the design.

Dichroic glass is coated to create colors, which, when illuminated, reflects their complementary color. The piece was designed to delight the eye with visible colors, reflected colors, and–at night–double-reflections in the glass window opposite the piece against the dark sky.

The artists for the piece are Arlon Bayliss and his wife and collaborative partner, Mary Jo Kramb Bayliss, working together for the first time as the Bayliss Design Team. Arlon Bayliss studied at the Royal College of Art in London, England. His public art projects include monumental outdoor works and large-scale indoor installations, and his gallery artwork is in collections and exhibitions worldwide.  He was a guest artist at Rosenthal Glass and Porcelain in Germany for more than 10 years, and taught glass in the UK for seven years at Stourbridge College and for more than 20 years as Professor of Art and Design at Anderson University, Anderson, Indiana.  Mary Jo Kramb Bayliss is an experienced sculptor and educator.  She also works independently as a public, community and studio artist under the name Blue Monkey House.  She received her B.F.A. in sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University and her M.F.A. in sculpture from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and taught at Anderson University for 7 years.  The Baylisses are based in Anderson, Indiana.