Art Work
What is it?
A large mosaic created in 2005 by Ming Fay for the MTA. On the Manhattan-bound platform of the F line there is the cherry orchard which represents the Delancey family orchard and on the Brooklyn-bound platform the shad fish, who used to swim in the rivers every spring.
Title?
Shad Crossing and Cherry Orchard.
Where is it?
Delancy/Essex.
What does it look like to the viewer?
To the viewer it looks like fish swimming and a cherry orchard.
Is it conceptual?
The images themselves are literal and the concept is stated but not more important compared to the finished product.
Is it literal or figurative(vague)?
If you were to look at the mosaics you might not understand the concept behind them, which is based on the history of the neighborhood surrounding it. The shad fish crossing through the water are representations of the immigrants whom traveled through the ocean and over the Williamsburg Bridge. The cherry orchard is a literal depiction of the original Delancey family farm. It used to be located on today’s Orchard street.
Part Two
Would the average subway rider be able to understand the work without extra information?
For the average subway rider the concept behind the art might not be as prevalent as the actual images shown. They might just see the literal pictures of the fish and the cherries.
How has research changed your understanding of the work?
My research has given me more background and a conceptual view on the mosaics. I have a more personal view on the work that relates to my relationship with friends and skateboard culture since, I met my boyfriend there I have always had my own meaning behind this station but now I have a closer connection to the work.
The Artist or Designer
Who are they?
Ming Fay
Where are they from?
He was born in Shanghai in 1943 but came to the United States in 1961 to study at Columbus College of Art and Design and was based in New York City
What kind of work are they known for?
Sculpture and Installations, focuses his art on the form of a garden as a symbol of utopia and the relationship between man and nature. He is mostly known for his solo exhibitions but has made appearances in many group shows that took place at many famous museums such as Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Does their biography impact the installation?
Since he traveled over the ocean to a different country, as are the shad fish (foriengers), he can relate to the concept.
What have they done since?
Since his mosaics in the Delancey station he has created one more public art piece for the Chicago Public Art Program in O’Hare International Airport Terminal 2. Fay also continues to create installations at exhibits such as, in 2005, he made a sculpture called the Material Terrain that is at Laumeier Sculpture Park St. Louis, Missouri. Also, an installation was built in 2008 at Queens Crossing. In 2007 he made an installation at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai, and another at a Solo Exhibition at Lesley Heller in 2010. Fays latest work was in 2012 where he was a part of a second Solo Exhibition at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey.
The Neighborhood
What is the name?
Delancey/Essex
Where is it?
China town/ Lower East Side
What is the area known for?
Fish markets, LES skatepark, Chinese culture and food.
What is the history of the place?
It used to be open land with lots of rivers and orchards.
Who lives there now?
Now, families and artists live there.
What is it like to walk around?
It seems to be old but up and coming. There are many small coffee shops and tattoo shops. Along with parks, new hotels, and schools.
Could you make any connection between what you experienced and the subway artwork?
For New York city, there is a good amount of nature, mostly planned, and gardens.
State your conclusion. Is the work a good fit?
Yes, compared to the history of the neighborhood I believe that the work is a good fit to the station.
Does it connect?
It connects to the history.
What are its successes or failures?
I believe that over all the aesthetic of the work was extremely successful. The detail of the work is gorgeous and the colors Fay used really liven up the station and almost make it more peaceful. Even though the shad fish are frantic and crossing through the river in a rush it gives you a simple still imaged to look at while you are waiting for the annoying J and F trains, which seem to be the only flaw in the station. However, I believe that maybe Fay should had focused more on the cherry orchard. Compared to the shad it is much less vibrant and inviting.
