Troika Cloud Sculpture T5 Lounges
Jul 17, 2016, 3:00 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 48
Dear All,
we are the artists who designed the cloud.
Really nice to hear and read on this forum how much support
there seem to be for this artwork.
Just to bring some clarity to your thread, the cloud is and was in perfect working state, all we did now was dusting it off as it has been turned off for nearly a year. Contrary to what is suggested in some posts, cloud uses flip dots as it's main components, which is a very robust 1970's technology commonly used in airport flight displays.
The reason for it being turned off for so long is hard to explain, but in a nutshell down to the ambiguity in classifying which standards needed to be applied to the sculpture as regards to it's maintenance regime. Well, I guess it gave us a good insight in the meanders of health and safety regulations
in all cases, the sculpture will be back up tonight hopefully, restored to it's former beauty, with all the help and support from the brilliant BA staff.
Enjoy,
Sebastien
troika.uk.com
we are the artists who designed the cloud.
Really nice to hear and read on this forum how much support
there seem to be for this artwork.
Just to bring some clarity to your thread, the cloud is and was in perfect working state, all we did now was dusting it off as it has been turned off for nearly a year. Contrary to what is suggested in some posts, cloud uses flip dots as it's main components, which is a very robust 1970's technology commonly used in airport flight displays.
The reason for it being turned off for so long is hard to explain, but in a nutshell down to the ambiguity in classifying which standards needed to be applied to the sculpture as regards to it's maintenance regime. Well, I guess it gave us a good insight in the meanders of health and safety regulations
in all cases, the sculpture will be back up tonight hopefully, restored to it's former beauty, with all the help and support from the brilliant BA staff.
Enjoy,
Sebastien
troika.uk.com
Jul 17, 2016, 3:59 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,430
Sadly unless someone in BA can attribute a direct monetary benefit to restoring these artworks, it isn't going to happen. A tremendous shame as the Cloud gave me great pleasure everytime I saw it clicking away. But that's the amazing, 2016 BA for you. 
Jul 17, 2016, 4:10 pm
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 48
Beyond me how they can let the entrance to their global flagship lounges fall into disrepair! They'll stop replacing light bulbs soon!!!
Jul 18, 2016, 1:18 am
#19
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA CCR/GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,483
Jul 18, 2016, 2:22 am
#21
Join Date: Jul 2014
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Of course some airports still use this flip dot technology on their information boards and they are fascinating. I remember my last visit to BUD, everybody in the check-in hall was captivated when the guy came along with a ladder to fix the faulty discs and the whole board went through the complete cycle.
Anywhere else where they still use these boards?
Anywhere else where they still use these boards?
Jul 18, 2016, 2:32 am
#22
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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Of course some airports still use this flip dot technology on their information boards and they are fascinating. I remember my last visit to BUD, everybody in the check-in hall was captivated when the guy came along with a ladder to fix the faulty discs and the whole board went through the complete cycle.
Anywhere else where they still use these boards?
Anywhere else where they still use these boards?
Some Solari board porn, not many left now
Jul 18, 2016, 3:41 am
#23
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Jul 18, 2016, 3:59 am
#24
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: LUX
Programs: BAEC Gold, MILLEMIGLIA Freccia Alata, M&M Blue
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Of course some airports still use this flip dot technology on their information boards and they are fascinating. I remember my last visit to BUD, everybody in the check-in hall was captivated when the guy came along with a ladder to fix the faulty discs and the whole board went through the complete cycle.
Anywhere else where they still use these boards?
Anywhere else where they still use these boards?
Jul 18, 2016, 4:39 am
#25
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 63,769
Mar 11, 2018, 9:38 am
#27
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC GGL & CCR / QF LTG
Posts: 829
Why won't BA fix Troika's Cloud?
When T5 first opened, this was rather pretty to watch (and hear). I haven't seen it operating in years but it still features as working on the IFE. More penny pinching given there has been previous threads from years ago?
BA Terminal 5 Troika's Cloud
BA Terminal 5 Troika's Cloud
Mar 11, 2018, 9:42 am
#28
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: London
Posts: 3,500
Articles about it still feature in BA's electronic magazines as a suggested read:
BA - The Club - The art of lounging
Information posted on FT in the past show that indeed, it is about money so is sadly decommissioned.
BA - The Club - The art of lounging
Information posted on FT in the past show that indeed, it is about money so is sadly decommissioned.
Mar 11, 2018, 9:55 am
#30
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Programs: BA Silver - hard drop from GGL :( SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, AC E50k
Posts: 567
I have a friend who works as an art curator, and she was part of the team that commissioned it... I haven’t read the thread above, but to make it short, it is classified as an artwork so needs special care, rather than just a shower with some Windex...
also, a lot of motors etc involved, so upkeep would be a fortune... makes me wonder why the paid for it in the first place... bet the bean counter that signed off on it is no longer employed by BA :-) *
*apologize if any accountants take offence to comment above...
also, a lot of motors etc involved, so upkeep would be a fortune... makes me wonder why the paid for it in the first place... bet the bean counter that signed off on it is no longer employed by BA :-) *
*apologize if any accountants take offence to comment above...