National Council on Public History (NCPH; @publichistorian) Instagram Takeover, Day 2 of 5. NYC’s Subway Art Museum.
Oh hello, it’s kennedy (@wrshapkilowatt), your Instagram Takeover Guide for the week. This week, I am joining you from the depths of New York City’s MTA subway. Why? Well, it just happens to be one of my favorite museums.
A museum? In the subway? Yes!
Let’s return to yesterday’s posts where I introduced you to the art of Nick Cave.
Nick Cave (@nickcaveart), like pioneering author, movie producer and director Oscar Michaeux who we met yesterday, creates art that takes control of the narrative about Black people, our experience, our joy and pain, our sunshine and rain, a fuller experience and narrative.
His artwork installation in tile form at the 42nd St/Bryant Park and 42nd St/Times Sq are the reasons why NYC’s subway is at the top of my Must See Museums list.
Now, I am a full adult and know what a museum is. However, thanks to the MTA Arts + Design Program and New York City Transit, a legacy of intentional graphic design throughout the subway system, I would say going all the way back to the original tile lettering for the station names, it’s a beautiful place full of whimsy to me. That’s the narrative I created.
In addition to the leaking infrastructure that needs action, societal issues very visible in a tiny space with many causes and effects, Brooklyn’s oyster bay destroyed by the tile industry yet coming back thanks to many efforts today, the subway is also a place of beauty and whimsy. Oh, and one of my favorite movies, The Wiz (1978), probably shaped this perspective, too — see the scene where the tile-covered columns come alive and chase the scarecrow/Michael Jackson!
I’ve included in this post other tile art, too. Do you see the cats? How cool! Share your favorite art installations and their subway station locale in the comments — NYC or anywhere in the world.
- k. kennedy Whiters, AIA (@wrkSHapkilowatt . @beyond.integrity . @blackinhistpres . @unredacthefacts)
Credits:
1 - All photos by @iamkennedyw
2 - Nick Cave Tile Art by @mayerofmunich
3 - @mtaartsdesign