For the next project, start to “scout” a neighborhoods of interest that does NOT have subway art.Study the area and propose an “art installation” based on the character of the area/ neighborhood. We have witness the relevance of air/ design in site specific location. How can art and design create positive experience for people to interact within a given space?

I have chosen the station 57 Street on 7th Avenue. It is a small subway. Unlike Union Square, which pretty much connects to any train, 57 street only connects to the NQR trains. However, it is still pretty local to some big sites such as The Stephen Colbert Show, Studio 54, Broadway Theater, Radio City, Rockefeller, and The MoMA. It’s such a small place, which is what would make the art really stand out. It would be a great location to include an installation making use of light that would reflect Broadway and a few other entertainment center’s bright atmosphere.

The station is so old and bland that I don’t think many people think to stop here much. But, it is also a pretty slow station, so if there was a piece of art down there, people may be more inclined to stop. A good design and piece of art can sometimes make areas more easily navigable as a person can get a good sense of what the area represents. Art also creates more peace in a location. People will feel less inclined to tamper with a place because they don’t want to be the ones defacing the piece. It can really make people stop and think.

Once you get out of the station the streets are pretty quiet. It is local to a few bars, cafes, and hotels as it is at the top of Midtown and more towards the West Side.

History

• The Street began in 1891 when Carnegie Hall was built.
• 1916-1917 Cass Gilbert designed Rodin Studios1924-1925 Steinway Hall
• Station opened as an extension Broadway subway to the BRT system fro Times Square.
• It was the first train to run over extended route (at midnight)
• Earlier that evening a special train containing Public Service Commission, city, BRT Officials, Merchants Association and citizens representing Forty Second Street was ran over the line.
• Opened in 1919
• To the North of the station are tunnel stub headings running straight from the local tracks for a proposed line under Central Park West, that would have terminated at 145th Street or 155th Street. It runs abut 500 feet
• On 57 Street , One 57 is a 75 story skyscraper building that was built in between Sixth and Seventh Avenue and was completed in 2014.It is a luxurious residential building to help portray the high end feel of the Southern part of Central Park.
• 57 Street is known as Billionaires’ Row due to several similar projects.
• These projects set controversy due to economic conditions and zoning policies
• The towers are feared to have impacts on surrounding areas and will cast a shadow over Central Park.
• There are many other buildings such as Channel 13 Headquarters, New York’s Public Broadcasting Station, Carnegie Hall, Art Students League, Hardrock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Bat Bar,  and Warner Bros. Design Store
• Architecture
  • Fuller building with Art Deco Style
  • Gilded Chimney on Crown Building
  • Dark Green Former IBM Building
  • Fleche topped Ritz Tower
  • American Society of Civil Engineers and Architects – constructed in Beaux arts style in 1897.
  • French Renaissance art building was constructed in 1891-1892 for American Fine Arts Society and Architectural League
  • The Art League of New York – many renowned artist refine skills here. 2,500 students learn at this school today
• In the Past 57th Street from Avenue of Americas to Seventh Avenue had Primarily been known for music. Now it’s also a toruist “mecca”.
• Art related users fight for space up here

Sources:

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9E04E3DD123FE432A25753C1A9619C946896D6CF

http://www.thecityreview.com/57st.html

http://forgotten-ny.com/2010/11/west-57th-street/

http://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/09/realestate/streetscapes-57th-street-between-avenue-americas-seventh-avenue-high-low-notes.html

http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2014/09/25/why_57th_street_is_the_supertall_tower_mecca_of_new_york.php

http://www.walkingoffthebigapple.com/2009/11/cultural-guide-to-west-57th-street-walk.html

IMAGE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One57#/media/File:One57_from_Columbus_Circle,_May_2014.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/57th_Street_(Manhattan)#/media/File:Carnegie-hall-isaac-stern.jpg