Portlanders REALLY love their airport carpet. Source: Facebook
THE carpet at the Portland Airport has a cult-like following and has become a social media superstar.
That’s right. The people of Portland love the kitsch pattern that lines the flooring of their provincial airport so much that it has its own Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.
The carpet’s celebrity has spread through the internet as a growing number of travellers partake in a ritual of photographing themselves on the famed flooring. Currently there are nearly 30,000 photos on Instagram with the hashtag #PDXcarpet.
This is what you’re supposed to do at Portland Airport. Picture: adamdachis. Source: Flickr
The popularity of the carpet’s pattern has spawned an online store where one can pick up shirts, mugs, bags and even posters designed in the carpet’s likeness.
But such is the adoration and dedication to the carpet that those not content with a bag have even gone as far as getting the renowned pattern tattooed on them.
If you’re a tad perplexed, you’re not alone.
A spokesperson for PDX, Kama Simonds, seems equally baffled by the carpet’s stardom.
“Yes, other airports have carpets, but right now people seem to think we have a masterpiece of a welcome mat,” she told USA Today.
It has been brought to my attention that they've officially started work on tearing out our beloved @pdxcarpet. When I was informed of this news, I felt my heart sink. I knew the day was coming, but found I wasn't the least bit prepared when it did. A big thanks to this kooky Portland entity for being there with a wild, colorful greeting whenever I arrived home. Another big thanks to Jesse Enz at Ritual Arts tattoo for helping to make sure I always have a little piece of the carpet with me wherever I may travel. Carpet, may you serve a purpose as excellent as the one you've had all these years, as whatever they recycle you into (though I kinda doubt it) 💔 farewell 💔😘
Only in Portland Oregon do we fashion ourselves after the airport carpet😂 #PDX #pdxcarpet #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/twZr4mujkc
— Jackie L Martell (@JackieLockwood1) January 12, 2015 It seems the affection felt for the carpet lies in the nostalgic sentiment it holds for Portland residence returning to their beloved city.
When it was announced that the carpet would be getting replaced this month (albeit with a somewhat similar pattern) people’s reaction on social media was closer to disappointment than despair. But only just.
In an effort to comfort travellers and commemorate the beloved carpet, the airport has installed an artistic display which hangs on the wall over one of the gates entitled “Carpet Diem!”
The 3 metre by 5 metre collage is made of — you guessed it — pieces of that sacred carpet from throughout the terminal.
Public demand for the old carpet is likely to be high with an airport spokesperson telling the LA Times they are “offering a very limited number of 1,000-square-yard (304.8 metres) increments of the carpet to interested parties through a formal public advertisement.”
By all accounts, it will be a very competitive sale.
Hi. I'm gonna need a case of this ASAP, thanks! 🍺
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