In our everyday lives, sometimes we miss all the creative artwork around us. We may glance at a painting and know it exists, but not appreciate it. A particular painting that I came across that inspired me is located in the subway station on 86th Street. On my train ride home, 86th Street is one of the stops. Usually, when I am not falling asleep, I look out the subway cart window and always see this particular mural. It did not come to my attention, until one day I got off at the stop to transfer trains and I had the opportunity to put my own meaning behind this work of art.
This mural was created in 2004 by Peter Sis, a Czech-born American, who creates illustrations and writes children’s books. He titled this specific illustration the “Happy City.” This mural is commissioned by the MTA since at the specific station, there are four large murals that were created on the platform walls near the staircases. This specific mural is located on the left side of the staircase when someone is looking at it from the top. When walking down the stairs a person can be captivated by the art and is hard to miss, but when walking up, one may not even know of its existence. It is a large-sized abstract which covers the whole wall on the side of the staircase. Furthermore, it has been there for 12 years now still looking neat and maintained. It is meant to last and hopefully stay there for a while. Also, the time of the day has no effect on it only because it is in the subway station in which the lighting remains constant. If there was more light near the mural, it would appeal more to the eye. Although this masterpiece is constantly submerged in light, from the subway, the shadow and the surroundings around it create a darker appearance.
This mural is a perfect representation of city life in just the shape of the eye. The eye is depicted by vibrant colors through with etched stones and glass mosaics. The eyelashes on this mural are painted as buildings. These forms of architecture are apartments and specific landmarks such as the Metropolitan, Guggenheim, Whitney Museum and Gracie Mansions, all playing a key role in New York City.
Furthermore, there is an outline around the buildings which is colorful, giving it a striking appearance. In the whites of the eye, there are tiles which are a grayish and white color which capture the liveliness in the city. The artist portray 6 men, all looking different from each other, and holding an instrument. For example, there is an African American saxophone player representing the Jazz Era in America. There is also a Scottish man representing his country holding bagpipes, an Indian man playing the sitar, and a nutcracker playing the sousaphone. The music is shown by all these men holding an instrument, and the noise is shown by the lines the painter draws coming from the instrument. All of the people represent music from different countries. Each instrument is a treasure of the past. New York City is the place where all these unique cultures unite and contribute to the wonderful and energetic noises. There is a bird too meaning that noises do not only have to come from humans.
Moreover, animals are a symbolic part of this mural. For instance, in the iris of the eye, going around in a circle are humans on different kinds of animals. The animals include, an alligator, pig, turtle, fish, cat, horse, swan and a bird. The kids on these animals represent different races, since their skin colors vary, and different genders. They are all children who look happy and united despite the variation in nationalities. They are riding along as if the eye is a carousel meaning that life is continuous.
Lastly in the pupil, there is a compass surrounded by more buildings. there are more buildings. Here, North, West, South and East are not written showing how the city is a connected place and that there are no depicted directions. There is also a line from the corner of the eye which extends to the center of another circle. Around this are plain, white tiles in which women a are drawn, such as a ballerina and an old lady. The purpose of these extra pieces are to expand the mural so that it is not only on the side wall, but the wall facing front. These extra pieces add detail and make the mural look more complete.
This piece of art depicts essential aspects of the city through the eye. It is a visual in which different cultures uniting is greatly valued. It has such a deep meaning and gives off happy, positive vibes. Even though there is one eye, the many eyes looking at this mural have different perspectives.
By: Noorulain Paracha
