We seem to talk a lot about New York City poetry and writing. I would like to focus my attention on art for a moment.

“Broadway Boogie Woogie” (1942), Piet Mondrian 

Piet Modrian, Broadway Boogie Woogie. (1942)

What does this painting seem to depict? (Think about this question before reading any further.)

I visited the MOMA in the late spring and discovered “Broadway Boogie Woogie” by Piet Mondrian. This painting displays NYC in a very distinct way. Mondrian created abstract art, yet this particular painting is based on a real world example. This painting represents the city grid of Manhattan. The artist illuminates the streets with a bright yellow grid of intersecting lines. The intersections between the lines are blocks of different colors as well. In fact, “Broadway Boogie Woogie” depicts NYC streets and traffic lights. Mondrian demonstrates the movement and dynamics of the city through the use of this particular palette of colors. The city seems to immediately illuminate and it becomes alive. NYC is just like the Boogie Woogie, it is filled with energy and shining lights.

My friends and I initially through that “Broadway Boogie Woogie” is displaying the NYC subway system. The subway, however, is an essential component in the dynamics of the city. Therefore, we weren’t far off in understanding Piet Mondrian’s idea for the painting.

What do you think about this painting? Does it depict New York City accurately? Were you able to immediately realize that the painting is depicting NYC?