This article has been updated to properly credit artists. A previous version of this article credited artwork by Jane Dickson to Chuck Close, and did not credit art to William Wegman.
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Home to some of the most renowned and iconic art houses, New York is any creative’s dream. From frolicking through the Metropolitan Museum of Art, taking in an intricate piece at a hip Lower East Side gallery or encountering a cool mural in Bushwick, art is everywhere. But below the concrete jungle, the New York City subway system is a gallery for some of the most unique art in the city.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Arts & Design program is dedicated to funding art in the New York subway. Established in 1985, the MTA program has sponsored the development and installation of countless pieces, creating “one of the largest and most diverse collections of site-specific public art in the world,” according to the MTA website. It was created in hopes of improving the subways during a huge rehabilitation mission. Intricate mosaics and comical statues fill the stations, and sometimes art exists in the trains themselves, allowing for a bit of creativity in the otherwise dull commute.
The Arts and Culture team at the New School Free Press compiled some favorite subway stops.
14th Street/8th Avenue Station: A/C/E/L
In the 14th Street and 8th Avenue station, one popular MTA art installation is called Life Underground by sculptor Tom Otterness. “There’s little toy figures acting out scenarios throughout the subway,” said Marin Gross, a second-year Lang student. “It’s a continual art piece that you have to follow, kind of like a game, and the characters look like little monopoly men,” she said. The figures are scattered throughout the station, forming a narrative with each different positioning. There are also underlying themes of social issues, inspired by political cartoons. “Many of the other statues play on similar themes of class and corruption,” stated Keri Blakinger for the New York Daily News.
Fifth Avenue-59th Street: N/R/W
Central Park is one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks, attracting tourists and New Yorkers alike. For Central Park-goers who frequent the N, R, and W trains, the Fifth Avenue-59th Street station is hard to avoid. Juliana Bakumenko, a second-year at Parsons, often thinks back to when she would get off at the Fifth Avenue-59th Street when she was younger. “My mom would take me to Central Park and I would always see the animals on the subway walls,” she said. Bakumenko remembers constantly looking forward to seeing those penguin mosaics each time she came to the park.
23rd Street: F/M
For those who call the Flatiron District home or are simply passing through, the F and M line 23rd Street station has an eye-catching installation. Dog mosaics, by artist William Wegman, fill the walls and are hard to miss. “I noticed those dogs at the 23rd Street station right when I got off. They’re really bold, but also jarring,” said Miranda Elder, a second-year at Parsons.
Times Square-42nd Street: 1/2/3/7/A/C/E/N/Q/R/W/S
To escape from tourist traps, head down below to one of the most complex and busiest subway stations in New York City. Underneath Times Square, murals by Jane Dickson are featured on the station walls. “I think it’s really cool, just because of the nature of the subject matter,” said Sarah Van Arsdale, a second-year majoring in Interior Design at Parsons. “It really creates a sort of common culture among people with different cultures,” she said.
DeKalb Avenue: B/Q/R
After a view of the Manhattan/Brooklyn skylines from the Manhattan Bridge, commuters are instantly taken underground while changing boroughs. The MTA arts program collaborated with artist Bill Brand in creating this work which is known as the “Masstransiscope.” This piece is installed within the train tracks, bringing light and color to the darkness. With one blink of an eye, you just might miss it. “I just like how it moves with the trains in a way.” said Tony Muchai, a Communications Design major at Parsons: “It invokes a sense of motion within motion which I find really cool.”
Everywhere in New York, there’s art to take in. The subway is no exception to this. So the next time you head underground, take a moment to stop and check out some of these distinctive works of art. After all, there’s no avoiding the subway: one way or another, New Yorkers always end up underground.