Terminal for Tirana, a permanent light sculpture by contemporary Polish artist Karolina Halatek, invites visitors to reflect on the mysteries of life and the afterlife. Located on the grounds of the Mother Teresa University Hospital in Albania, the tunnel emits a soft, white light that draws people in, providing a contemplative space that explores the concept of near-death experiences (NDEs).
Halatek, who has spent over a decade researching NDEs, wanted to create an intersection where art, spirituality and science converge. For this iteration, Halatek collaborated with architect and urban designer Dea Buza of Apparat Studio and landscape architect Elian Stefa to thoughtfully integrate the installation into the natural environment. The six-metre-long, three-metre-wide polyethylene tunnel, illuminated by neon LEDs, was constructed by the same technicians who worked on his previous installations in Stuttgart and Bremen. The surrounding landscape, carefully preserved and enhanced with circular pink granite stools, adds to the meditative experience of the artwork.
The Terminal for Tirana installation not only symbolises the transition to the afterlife, but also transforms the environment into a holistic space for reflection and tranquillity.
All photography by ILIR TSOUKO
