Saturday, November 15th, 2008 | Author:
Laurinha
And now for my exceedingly long-overdue, yet brief, first post.
In our research to find out if a Subway Art Blog already existed prior to creating our own, we came across the Subway Art book. The book consists of hundreds of images of colorful graffiti on New York subway trains captured by two photographers in the 1980s, accompanied by short back stories. Subway Art provides a glimpse into what is unfortunately a bygone era when the exteriors of so many subway cars became animated canvases.
A very cool virtual experience of the book can be had here.
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 | Author:
Jowy
I’m glad they specified that this steel beam at Delancey Street wasn’t wet. I hate it when I get paint all over my cardigan.
Saturday, October 11th, 2008 | Author:
Jowy
Reader phillipr noticed this one on the A line. Maybe the MTA designer had a sense of irony, or maybe they missed it totally, but I find it is pretty amusing that they would make a pun about braking a lot.
Wednesday, October 08th, 2008 | Author:
Jowy
This bug-eyed spawn was spotted on the J train a few months ago by yours truly. I suppose this is further proof of the only thing I learned in kindergarten—that plastic googly eyes make everything (even Transit Museum ads) more fun! A few weeks later I saw the same eyes over a different ad (they switched the ad and hadn’t removed the eyes from the plastic cover). I hope one day we meet again.
Tuesday, October 07th, 2008 | Author:
Jowy
Infamous subway artist Poster Boy is featured in the current issue of New York Magazine. The article follows the anonymous vandal as he tears down and remixes posters at the 23rd Street C/E station.
“The defacing of posters doesn’t sound particularly lofty, but Poster Boy—who, for obvious reasons, wishes to remain anonymous (vandalism is, after all, a crime)—has intentions that are surprisingly high-minded. The die-hard Fight Club fan hopes to start a decentralized art movement, one where anyone can claim to be Poster Boy. “No copyright, no authorship,” he says. “A social thing, as opposed to being an artist making things for bored rich people to hang above their couch.” That such a crusade might encourage vandalism doesn’t bother him. “Where I’m from, if you go by the book, it’s a very slow process to get what you want,” he says.”
¡Viva Poster Boy! In the words of (then Supreme Chancellor) Palpatine, we will be watching his career with great interest. Check out the New York Magazine site for more:
[Poster Boy Turns Subway Ads Into Political Art - New York Magazine]
Monday, October 06th, 2008 | Author:
Jowy
One of the many features we have planned for the Subway Art Blog requires input from YOU. Yes, I’m looking at (okay, typing to) every single one of you who has a camera phone and rides the subway. Interesting stuff is happening 24/7 in the underground and it’s up to all of us to capture it and share! Take this gem to the left for example. Laura spotted this one on the J train on a Con Edison ad. I figured this would be timely, as we release this very fruity website.
Please send us your interesting, funny and crazy subway photos for the “Rider Report” feature of the Subway Art Blog. Be sure to include the train line or stop where it was taken, the day, a short caption and your name/handle if you want credit. E-mail or photo message your photos to subwayartblog@gmail.com.
