Three enormous, kinetic ring sculptures will grace the check-in hall of Terminal 3 at Frankfurt Airport starting in April 2026, creating a spectacular art installation that promises to transform the travel experience for millions of passengers.

Fraport AG, the airport operator, has unveiled an extraordinary art installation in collaboration with internationally renowned artist Julius von Bismarck. The spectacular work, titled "The First, the Last, Eternity," represents a groundbreaking fusion of art and aviation architecture that will make the new terminal a unique cultural destination.

The installation consists of three ring-shaped sculptures, known as tori, that will float beneath the 59-foot-high ceiling of the check-in hall. These massive artworks weigh between one and three tons each and feature diameters ranging from 10 to 23 feet. The sculptures are composed of 636 colored aluminum discs that move mechanically, displaying various surface structures including topographical representations of Earth's terrain.

"Human imagination has always been limited and always will be, but this boundary can shift," explains Julius von Bismarck, describing his artistic concept. The artist, born in 1983, studied at the Institute for Spatial Experiments founded by Ólafur Elíasson and is known for his work that challenges the limits of human perception. His installation at Frankfurt Airport continues this exploration by creating an ever-changing visual experience that plays with visitors' sensory boundaries.

After Terminal 3's official opening on April 22, 2026, travelers and visitors will be able to view the constantly transforming installation free of charge. The kinetic nature of the sculptures means that no two viewing experiences will be identical, as the aluminum discs continuously move to create new patterns and reveal different topographical surfaces.

Fraport CEO Stefan Schulte emphasized the significance of this artistic addition, stating that "the art installation underscores our commitment to further developing Frankfurt Airport as an intercontinental hub of global air traffic." The decision to commission von Bismarck came after a multi-stage internal selection process that concluded approximately two years ago, demonstrating the airport's long-term commitment to integrating world-class art into its facilities.

The installation represents more than just aesthetic enhancement; it symbolizes Frankfurt Airport's vision of creating spaces that inspire and engage travelers during their journeys. As one of the world's busiest international airports, Frankfurt's investment in this monumental art piece reflects the growing trend of airports becoming cultural destinations in their own right, offering passengers meaningful experiences beyond mere transportation hubs.