I am interested in two types of responses from you: 1) what was your favorite artwork and why? and 2) which work(s) were successful in terms of their “site specificity?” Granted all the Arts for Transit works were created or designed for their specific site (this is the definition of “site specific” ) but some were more successful in terms of their being integrated with the site: the station/the location/neighborhood. Please REPLY
Below is the updated list of artworks we saw on the tour.
My favorite artwork was Jack Beal’s The Return of Spring/The Onset of Winter. I thought it was so expertly crafted; I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much contour and shading in a mosaic piece. There was a definite continuity to the forms and they all had an individual presence in the entire mural piece. I can also appreciate the allusions the artist created to the story of Persephone, and the juxtaposition of the two murals depicting her exit and entrance to the Underworld.
In my opinion, the most successful piece in terms of site specificity was Samm Kunce’s Under Bryant Park. It was obviously made in terms of the underground location of the subways, and really connected with the world above by reminding passers-by where they were in terms of the city. Bryant Park is such a busy and bustling area that it deserves to transcend the borders of the street and invade the subways. The art piece also causes people to stop and wonder about their location, which of course makes it successful.
It is hard for me to choose one favorite piece, because I loved many of them. But if I was being forced to pick just one it would have to be Tom Otterness’ “Life Underground”, the bronze sculptures. I like this one because the art is scattered through out the system and sometimes in places where you can’t miss it, but at other points it is almost hidden like in an I spy game. I also like that the art so clearly demonstrates the class and authoritative struggles. It seems so appropriate to remind all the commuters of these contentious issues while they are on they’re way to school or work, where they will be learning about or making decisions for the future in these areas. At the same time the piece of art is so fun and playful that all ages can enjoy it.
Samm Kunce’s “Under Bryant Park” was very appropriate to its specific location, seeing as how the piece was indeed of what would normally be under Bryant Park and the piece was physically under Bryant Park.
My favorite pieces of work are the bronze sculptures, “Life Underground”, by Tom Otterness. These sculptures stood out because of their site-specificity and because they were so unexpected. Even though they are located at quite a busy station, 14th St. – 8th Avenue, they seemed to be overlooked by almost all the travelers. The fact that the sculptors are spread out throughout various parts of the station make them even more intriguing and makes me want to look for all of them. Furthermore, these sculptors when noticed, appeal to commuters of all ages. I remember that when we got on the train and Professor Meyers-Kingley pointed out the alligator coming out of the manhole, a young child eagerly shrieked to his mother, “Look, look, a monster eating a man”.
I feel that these sculptors are the most site-specific because the construction of the 14th St. – 8th Avenue station took place when corruption characterized Tammany Hall. Tom Otterness also cites this as his inspiration. The alligator in a business suit coming out of the manhole, biting a business man’s behind, while a fellow business man watches passively definitely implies corruption and wrongdoing.
To be completely honest I felt that the only artwork which was truly site specific was Samm Kunce’s “Under Bryant Park”, since it was most obviously under Brynt Park. The others I felt could be placed in any other train station and it wouldn’t have made much difference. Like “Times Square Times: 35 Times” by Toby Buonagurio could have been placed in any big enough station. The “Times Square Mural” by Roy Lichtenstein could have been place in any other station, with the simple change of the number “42” in the artwork itself.
My favorite artwork was “Losing My Marbles” by Lisa Dinhofer. Marbles are universal, and it reminded me of summers in the Dominican Republic as I played marbles with my cousins. I also pass by this station often, but I always look at the walls and find something new, which is different from artwork that I notice once and quickly get use to it and ignore it everytime I pass by.
It is hard for me to choose which one I likes the most because I truly enjoyed looking at most of the artworks there. I was surprised to find that they even existed, since I have been to all of the stations we visited, but never paid particular attention to any of the arts displayed there. My favorite one would have to be Samm Kunce’s Under Bryant Park, at 42nd St. Bryant Park/Fifth Avenue. It is also one that shows the most site specificity in my opinion. I liked how the artwork was displayed all throughout the walls of the passageway, reminding us of our current location, which most of the time we seem to forget. I just thought that the pipes and tree roots branching down the ground were kind of cute, and also the mosaic work was very delicate and beautiful at the same time. Another artwork that seemed more site specific was The Revelers by Jane Dickson, at 42nd St. Times Square. I thought most figures portrayed on the underground walls looked celebratory in a way, which goes along with the common image we often correlate with Times Square – something joyful and bright.
My favorite artwork was definetly the art work in the 14th st 8th ave subway station with the little golden figures. I like the cartooning aspect of it and how it kind of adds this innocence to this somewhat deeper and darker undertone of greed that it gets across. I also like hte fact that they almost made a game of finding them by scattering them all over the subway that way people who are passing by can interact almost with the piece, as opposed to most others which were just about seeing the piece.
I thought the most sight specific one was the one at 42st- Bryant park because it showed this idea of nature in the middle of the city, which is what Bryant park is. It kind of showed how these two ideas contrast so well but end up being part of our daily lives, which if you live near bryant park is true. The park is often a big part of that neighborhood to its inhabitants.
My favorite piece that we saw was Chris Sproat’s V Beam at 42nd Street-Grand Central. The design was so simple and elegant, yet the installation was also utilitarian. I think that was my favorite part; the other installations were not so much part of the subway as they were art pieces displayed in the subway. V beam on the other hand was so subtly displayed, one could miss it if they weren’t looking for it. I think that’s the direction the Art in the Subway should be going: instead of putting art on the walls, make beautiful walls. Art can be found in the design of everything, and a subway station that embraced that would have a much more interesting dynamic. I would like to go to a station that was art, not one that contained art.
Considering site specificity, I think the most successful piece was Samm Kunce’s Under Bryant Park. To me, this was interesting as subway art because it reminds the commuter of their location, a fact that they implicitly know, but never really acknowledge. The subway is underground, a fact people take for granted. However, Junce’s piece is a reminder that these subways are intrusions onto the natural subterranean world.
My favorite piece was the pair of mosaics- “Onset of Winter” and “The Return of Spring”. Not only did I find the mosaic work intricate and beautiful to look at, but I loved the modern twist on the myth of Persephone. I am taking a really great classic literature course right now; it was so neat to make the connections between art and mythology.
My second favorite would have to be “Under Bryant Park”, not only because of its appropriateness and site specificity, but again because of the allusions to literature. I find this use of tiles and mosaic just as interesting, although the technique is much more rough and certainly not as literal. On a side note, I agree that the beautiful piece of pop art by Roy Lichtenstein was entirely in the wrong place- certainly not able to be appreciated fully- it’s placement seems haphazard and poorly thought out.
My favorite artwork we saw (though it doesn’t appear to be on the list) was Donald Lipski’s chandelier hanging above the Grand Central Market. Of all the works, it is definitely the most illustrious and elaborate, yet in it’s own respect, it’s location high upon the ceiling gives it a subtle invisibility. The giant upside down olive tree, who’s name “Sirshasana” refers to the yoga position of a headstand, gives the indoor market an organic, “natural” ambiance. There was definitely the element of nostalgia too, recalling when I was good friends with the artist’s son and would be at their house constantly; though I’d seen a few smaller, localized pieces he’d done around the town or in their backyard (although it was many years ago, I still remember being fascinated with a giant metal sphere covered in dice that sat outside the kitchen window), it was different to see his work on such a large scale. Lipski’s tree holds a very mystical and enticing quality to it, formed largely by the gold roots and dangling crystal tips on the branches.
Like everyone else said, Bryant Park was definitely the most site specific, as it directly incorporated the environment, blurring the boundaries of the natural and manmade aesthetic.
I can’t seem to find them name of the piece that I like the most. Regardless, the 14 st. side platforms from 1904 were definitely my favorite. Before this trip, I had passed by these four huge blocks of stone several times a week and never really understood what they were, but was always intrigued by them. When I learned that they were walls from the old 14 street station from 1904, I grew to like them even more. They have character to them, and you can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia when looking at them. The eagles crafted in the top center is also a highlight point, adding color and life to the large block walls.
I would have to agree with a lot of people in saying Samm Kunce’s Under Bryant Park was one of the best pieces in regards to “site specificity.” First, because the piece makes the commuter aware that they are indeed underground, something most people take for granted and dismiss while walking through the subway passages. Kunce also makes you conscious of the fact that you’re under a library. Kunce has pipes going through the piece, and on them he includes things from Mother Goose’s children’s rhymes to James Joyce quotes.
For your information, Alden, it was the public art work in Union Square by Mary Miss, entitled FRAMING UNION SQUARE (from 1998) that made possible the highlighting of the old 1904 walls with the eagles. The station was slated for renovation/demolition and the artist chose to highlight/frame the old walls and other remnants of mosaic, tilework and other design motifs from the original station and incorporate it into her piece. I would argue this work is another example of a truly successful work of site-specificity because Miss has literally incorporated the old station (e.g. original “site”) into her new work (now 12 years old).
Also, nice picture everyone. We don’t look as sweaty and gross as I thought we would.
My favorite piece was “Times Square Times: 35 Times” by Toby Buonagurio at the 42nd Street-Times Square Station. Although we didn’t get to see all 35 installations up close, I very much liked the bright colors (that reminded me of the bright lights of Times Square at night) of the ceramic plaques and appreciated the fact that they had some sort of dimension to them; to me, they were a welcome departure from the flat, tiled mosaics we had been seeing up until then.
I think Samm Kunce’s “Under Bryant Park” was the most successful at achieving site-specificity, because it was able to show the presence of nature within a big city. I also think “Times Square Times: 35 Times” had site specificity for what it depicts: all kinds of people, bright colors, people laughing and shouting, just having a good time – all things that I very much associate with Times Square.
My favorite subway art piece was Tom Otterness’ “Life Underground”, found at the 14th Street 8th Avenue St. The bronze statues were spread out all over the station, as the station will spread people all over the city. Their commentary on capitalism is fitting given that many take the subway on their way to work. It was also pretty adorable, and probably made many a facebook profile picture.
I also enjoyed “Under Bryant Park” by Samm Kunce. With its roots and bedrock-esque layers, it references the area above, it is very site specific.
I agree with Jeanne that “The Revelers” was site specific in its allusion to activities at Time Square. It is interesting how various pieces of Subway art can be site specific in different ways.
My favorite art piece from the MTA Art Transit Tour was definitely the Roy Lichtenstein at 42nd st Times Square. I’ve always enjoyed his work and it’s parody of Pop Culture. It is also very appealing to me on an aesthetic level. I also enjoy this work because it is something that you have to see by looking around out of your normal sight path. Most people zoom through 42nd st, their sole thought being to get where they are going. There isn’t anything necessarily wrong with this, but it definitely goes to show what you can find just by taking the time to look around and pay attention.
I would have to agree with most everyone else that Samm Kunce’s “Under Bryant Park” was the best example of site specificity. Most people don’t think about the fact that they are actually underground when in a subway station, but the expansive images of roots and nature were both aesthetically pleasing and a poignant reminder of what New York City’s heavily industrial nature often discards.