The permanent installation Terminal in Tirana is an immersive light sculpture by contemporary artist Karolina Halatek in the public space of Tirana. Karolina Halatek’s project Terminal for Tirana curated by Adela Demetja and implemented by Tirana Art Lab – Center for Contemporary Art has been selected as one of the eight winning art works by the international jury for the competition “Art in Public Spaces 2022” launched and financed by the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation of Albania. This site-specific installation draws inspiration from the profound recollections of patients experiencing near-death experiences (NDEs), creating thus a space where art, spirituality, and science intersect. Terminal for Tirana offers a contemplative space where visitors can experience a sense of euphoria, peace, and the feeling of transcending physical boundaries.

Halatek’s brilliant sculpture is composed primarily of a single polyethylene cylinder of 6m by 3m diameter, illuminated from within by solar-powered LED neons. This tunnel of light invites visitors to step into an otherworldly experience, reminiscent of those reported in NDEs – a journey through a dark tunnel towards an enveloping, radiant light. The artwork finds its roots in echoing common experiences recorded in the databases of the Near-Death Research Foundation (NDRF), adding a profound exploration of human consciousness and mortality to the stunning visual spectacle.

Terminal for Tirana reaches further than an art installation; it is a meditation on life, death, and the persistence of consciousness. Situated at the entrance of the University Hospital Center Mother Teresa, Tirana, the work gains an added layer of significance, resonating with those contemplating life’s fragility and the mysteries beyond. This approach is also reflected in the site’s transformation which has been designed by Elian Stefa and Dea Buza to create a variety of moments of intimacy and pause. Accessible from both sides the installation, placed as a crown jewel, invites viewers to immerse themselves in the transformative power of light, offering a glimpse into what might lie at the threshold of life. It is a reminder of the eternal continuity in the world of light, urging the audience to reflect on our existence and the universe’s boundless mysteries.


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