The New York City Subway Art Tour: A Journey Through the City's Hidden Museum
The New York City Subway Art Tour is a captivating exploration of the city's hidden artistic treasures, led by the charismatic Darryl Reilly. This tour takes participants on a journey through the city's subway system, where art and culture intertwine with the daily commute.
One of the highlights of the tour is the 'Alice: The Way Out' series of mosaic panels, based on paintings by artist Liliana Porter. These panels, installed in 1994, bring a touch of whimsy and fantasy to the station walls, with Alice from Wonderland peeking behind a curtain and the White Rabbit looking on. The tour guide, Reilly, points out the intricate details of the mosaic, explaining how the artist's work is transformed into a mesmerizing mural by the mosaic company.
As the tour progresses, participants encounter a diverse range of artworks, each with its own unique story. At Times Square, the 'Revelers' by Jane Dickson come to life, depicting the cross-section of humanity that gathers in Times Square on New Year's Eve. The life-size glass mosaic figures, surrounded by confetti and party hats, create a vibrant and festive atmosphere.
Reilly's tour also takes participants to 23rd Street, where they encounter 'Stationary Figures' by William Wegman. These glass mosaic panels feature Wegman's photographs of his dogs, posing like humans, creating a unique and playful blend of art and everyday life. The tour guide points out the dogs' eyes, which make them look like us, too tired to reflect emotions as they wait for the next train.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the tour is the exploration of the city's hidden cultural treasures. At Bryant Park, participants are introduced to 'Under Bryant Park' by Samm Kunce, a large-scale artwork that features everything under the park, from roots of trees to pipes and rocks. Reilly explains that the New York Public Library has storage rooms with millions of books under Bryant Park, hence the quotes by Goethe, James Joyce, and other famous authors.
The tour also highlights the diverse range of commuters who appreciate the art. Sonia Velu, a young chemical engineer, shares her favorite brass coin sculptures inside 14th Street, while Scott Carlson, a born-and-bred New Yorker, praises the public art that reflects the city's culture and creativity. Even commuters like Chetty, who had never noticed the art before, are captivated by the beauty and whimsy of the subway system.
Reilly believes that most people in New York are like Chetty and know little about subway art. However, he also notes that the subway system is a forgiving place, where art can surprise and delight those who take the time to look. From the 'Wild Things' by Fred Tomaselli to 'Losing My Marbles' by Lisa Dinhofer, the subway system is a hidden museum that offers a unique and captivating experience for those who are present enough to appreciate it.
The tour concludes with a visit to 'The Return of Spring/The Onset of Winter' by Jack Beal, 'New York in Transit' by Jacob Lawrence, and 'Each One, Every One, Equal All' by Nick Cave, all spread across different parts of Times Square-42nd Street. As participants walk away, they are reminded of the extraordinary museum that exists beneath their feet, waiting to be discovered and appreciated.
