in transit
A BUTCHER'S #18
A BUTCHER’S hook/look (Cockney rhyming slang)
nature morte
I got on the F train, empty apart from this abandoned grapefruit on the seat opposite, so I took a photo of it for the yellow/orange/yellow color play. What was interesting was that as people got on and off and the train filled up, no-one touched or moved it - it just sat there, comfortably.
getting around
Riding the subway was, let’s say, different back then. By the time I arrived, the graffiti covered trains by the likes of Tracy168, Dondi, Futura2000, Lee, Lady Pink et al were all rapidly becoming a thing of the past as an all out assault on graffiti was in progress. Painted trains were pulled immediately from service and scrubbed with some kind of abrasive stripper that left them looking pretty bad really, as seen here
It’s a bit out of focus, but I think this photo captures the subway flavor, which is what this 1984 painting was aiming to capture.
still life
A bit of a breakthrough for me back then - a step. I just re-stretched this one and have it hanging at home. Although from and about another time in New York, I think it’s held up pretty well and not so embarrassing!
up and over
Riding the F train - The Smith-9th Street Station is 88 (27m) feet above ground level. A tunnel under the Gowanus canal was the initial plan which was too expensive, so they built a viaduct instead and it had to be high enough for tall masted ships to go through the 9th St vertical lift bridge.
cop in a box
One of the best observational graffiti (well, I liked it!) I came across was on the York St subway cop box - it was up a day or two before the expertly painted abstract piece replaced it.
I have to say that acid tagging on the glass looks pretty rubbish!
made you smile
What Sandy said!
Your photos, painting and insights are delightful, as usual!