The Walls Have Eyes

The Following is an eye. A mosaic eye, to be exact.

It’s part of the art of the New York City Subway System. And it’s strange, which is part of what makes it …..New York.

Mossaic Eye- Close Up

Eye in Context, on White Tile Wall

Another aspect of this artwork that I love is that every mosaic eye decorating the Church Avenue subway walls is different, some wider, some darker, some closer together, and others standing alone. It is a striking representation of the diversity one finds in the city, displayed using an eye- the medium through which initial assessments are formed.

The added dimension of this artwork- that it decorates the otherwise mundane and dirty subway walls- is amusing in that the decoration itself is meant to be aesthetically pleasing and it takes the shape of an eye. Its impact is thus doubly effective.

Thus, the eye as a method of decoration is powerful in the literal sense and in that it is an eye. Or rather, many eyes.

This is a fitting representation of New York City in the sense that it demonstrates diversity. And it’s in the subway, which- to me- is an integral part of the city. It also showcases the ingenuity and creativity that make NYC so unique.

It’s fun.

And it’s kind of creepy.

The walls may not have ears, but they certainly do have eyes…….