I couldn't see any information about who made these panels or when at the subway stop itself. They didn't quite seem like an art mural, but I wasn't sure. After doing a little research I discovered that the "L" actually comes from Loeser's department store, which used to be located directly above. It had its own entrance, like Bloomingdales, and so the Art Deco decor remains. The store opened in 1897 and closed in 1952.
JAY ST / METROTECH
This mural was completed in 2009 by Ben Snead. The neighborhood of downtown Brooklyn is undergoing a bit of revitalization, and Jay St is a fairly popular subway stop, meaning that it gets a decent amount of foot traffic. Also the architecture of the space creates a large walking area above the actual rail lines, which allows for more open wall space for the artwork to sit. To me, this piece and the year it was created speaks to the recent development of the area.
BOROUGH HALL
The first tablet reads "This tablet is erected to commemorate the opening of the first subway uniting the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn January 1908." The second lists the major organizations responsible for the event. This little plaque is quite an historical marker and immediately creates a sense of time when you see it. Above is a modern, bustling farmers market that actually might not have been too different from the time this plaque was erected.
CLARK STREET
There is no information about the top two murals that are on the ground level of the Clark Street Stop. To be honest, I don't like them, but still they add a sense of character to the stop. Especially when compared to the Ray Ring piece below. Immediately you get a sense of history in this subway stop. Completed in 1987, perhaps this stop was more vibrant and active than it is today.
No comments:
Post a Comment