Fake bomb exhibit removed from airport art show

A fake bomb which formed part of an art exhibition at an airport has been removed following complaints.

Ronaldsway Airport on the Isle of Man was forced to remove the controversial artwork from the departure lounge after negative comments from travellers and staff.

The artwork, by local artist Krista Magee, is called 'Alarm Clock And Kitchen Timer' and formed part of the DepARTure exhibition. It shows a traditional alarm clock attached by chains to a kitchen timer stuck to sticks of dynamite.

The kitchen timer shows the numbers 9/11 – a reference to the attacks on the World Trade Centre on that date seven years ago.

The Isle of Man Examiner reported that airport manager Ann Reynolds removed the exhibition after five days following complaints from “a very small number of people”.

Ms Magee told the newspaper: “Placing a bomb in the airport as a piece of art speaks on many levels.”

Comments made by members of the public on the newspaper’s website expressed dismay at the artwork, which was based around the theme of “paranoia and heightened security surrounding air travel”.

One writer said “I find the fact that a bomb was used as an expression of art very worrying”.

Another wrote: “Is the world going mad? Why not top it off with a picture of the burning Twin Towers and really get the passengers to relax!”

Mrs Reynolds and Miss Magee could not be reached for comment today. An airport employee declined to comment, saying it was “not allowed”.