MTA mosaics are an overlooked, underrated time capsule of New York City history. Beginning in 1904 at stations like Bleecker Street, mosaics were incorporated into each subway with a design often representing the culture and historical significance of the station’s location. From portraits of some of the most important New Yorkers to encapsulations of New York fashion, landmarks, technology, and more, mosaics preserve and tell NYC’s history for future generations. Mosaics are thoughtful, carefully designed works, and one should always stop and consider what moment or event is being captured in one (unless you’re late to class!).
The Art of MTA Mosaics
Group Members: Mayar Shihadeh, Badriah Saleh, Chesna Chumma, Eiden Cooper, Hamood Khan, Usman Gujar
How did completing your project help you explore the role of arts in the lives of New Yorkers and their communities?
This project helped our group understand why mosaics needed to exist and continue being preserved for the sake of their neighborhoods. When investigating some mosaics in Manhattan, we realized that, more often than not, they were telling a story about the community members when the mosaic was first created. In this way, we learned that mosaics and many art forms are meant to celebrate different generations and communities of New Yorkers and let their memories live on.
