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Sol LeWitt Celebrated Underground
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 9, 2009
Modified Sep 9, 2009
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 9, 2009
Modified Sep 9, 2009
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Photograph courtesy of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Rob Wilson
The 59th Street-Columbus Circle station just got more colorful thanks to a Sol LeWitt installation, in honor of what would have been the artist's 82nd birthday. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced its completion today, and said, "The artist created the proposal in 2004, and he selected the site, which is an expansive wall facing a double wide stairway and landing at 60th Street that leads from the mezzanine to the A, B, C, D and 1 trains. Titled 'Whirls and twirls (MTA),' the artwork is 53 feet wide by 11 feet high and consists of 250 porcelain tiles, in six colors, each cut to meet the artist’s specifications." MTA Chairman H. Dale Hemmerdinger declared, “LeWitt’s genius comes through in this artwork, which is a major work of precision with its curves and bands in vibrant color that completely fills the space. It will become a landmark and is a great tribute to one of our major artists."
The installation coincides with an exhibit, “Sol LeWitt: Forms Derived from a Cube,” on view from September 8th through October 17th at Pace Wildenstein, 32 East 57th Street. It also coincides with the installation of new lighting, tile flooring, passenger restrooms and elevators at the station!
Tagged
59th street
art
columbus circle
installation
MTA
Sol Lewitt
subway
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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