Faith Ringgold "Flying Home: Harlem Heroes and Heroines (Downtown and Uptown)" 1996 Photo via MTA Arts for Transit
We are delighted to present WNET’s marvelous documentary “Treasures of New York: Art Underground” (below) preceded by a brief review by George Fishman. From WNET’s website:
Five million…that’s the number of people that pass through New York City’s subway and commuter rail stations every day. Although they may not know it, these passengers have access to one of the world’s foremost public art collections. Hosted by Paula Zahn, Treasures of New York: Art Underground features interviews with artists such as Faith Ringgold, Tom Otterness, Milton Glaser, Bill Brand, Andrea Dezsö, Jason Middlebrook and Elizabeth Murray, along with master mosaicist Stephen Miotto and current and past Directors of MTA Arts for Transit, Sandra Bloodworth and Wendy Feuer.
With this article, we’re initiating a new category on Mosaic Art NOW, Collaborations, where we will showcase the uniquely rich relationship between artists and mosaic artisans.
Enjoy – Nancie
For a delightful immersion into the history and current activities of the enormous underground museum that is the New York subway system’s Arts For Transit program, treat yourself to WNET Channel Thirteen’s free one hour video called “Treasures of New York: Art Underground” (below). The producers interview current administrator Sandra Bloodworth and her predecessors for a dramatic historical perspective. Following its elegant initial design and fabrication, the subway system descended into a bleak period of vandalism and decrepitude, but a grand renovation plan included the bold proposal to incorporate new artwork within each station’s revival.
Jason Middlebrook "Brooklyn Seeds" 2009-2011
Mosaic artist Steven Miotto gets major face time. His decades-long collaboration with artists of all stripes is a fascinating story in itself. When selected by a commissioned artist as a collaborating partner, he gets into their minds and hearts, leading them through the complex process of translating their vision and their graphic designs into mosaic “paintings for eternity.” His grasp of the potential for glass and tile to make even very ethereal imagery into “bullet-proof” expression on a grand scale is rooted in a lifelong immersion in the materials and techniques of mosaic – including its installation under extremely demanding conditions.
Andrea Deszö "Community Garden" 2006 Photo via MTA Arts for Transit
Faith Ringgold, speaks eloquently and nostalgically about the series of paintings – now mosaics – that portray the heroes of her Harlem childhood. Writers and musicians fly across the cityscape in flattened but vivid characterizations. I had the opportunity to interview her when she was in Miami last year, and she spoke about the challenges of trying to “make it” as an African-American artist dealing with political themes at a time when the galleries favored the abstract. Click here (http://bitly.com/yxGJ3R) to listen to that interview with her.
Faith Ringgold "Flying Home" Detail Photo via MTA Arts for Transit
Thirteen’s “Treasures of New York: Art Underground” is below. For an even bigger treat, click the full-screen display icon. – George www.QRartguide.com
Watch Treasures of New York: Art Underground on PBS. See more from Treasures of New York.