Subway Grate Sculpture
New subway grates in New York City, designed by Rogers Marvel Architects, serve both as public art and to prevent flooding. "As a flood-control device, the structure creates a protective collar, or sleeve, around ventilating grates that are typically set flush to sidewalk level. The idea is not to completely waterproof the platforms and tra
cks below, but to mitigate a devastating cascade of water, silt, mud and debris." The upside: Manhattan fashionistas won't get their heels stuck in the sidewalk-level crates. The downside: The new sculptures will definitely impede sidewalk traffic flow, taking up a good portion of the sidewalk. The new sculpture also is strangely similar to Andrea Blum's Plateau piece on 40th Street. Plateau "was made of perforated steel, concrete and light which formed interlocking pavilions, tables, and seating to identify locations for private and social interaction. It was envisioned as a three-dimension
al puzzle designed to respond to the individual and collective needs of a diverse public" (Andrea Blum's website). Both show interesting solutions to the sculptural issue of form vs. function.
cks below, but to mitigate a devastating cascade of water, silt, mud and debris." The upside: Manhattan fashionistas won't get their heels stuck in the sidewalk-level crates. The downside: The new sculptures will definitely impede sidewalk traffic flow, taking up a good portion of the sidewalk. The new sculpture also is strangely similar to Andrea Blum's Plateau piece on 40th Street. Plateau "was made of perforated steel, concrete and light which formed interlocking pavilions, tables, and seating to identify locations for private and social interaction. It was envisioned as a three-dimension
al puzzle designed to respond to the individual and collective needs of a diverse public" (Andrea Blum's website). Both show interesting solutions to the sculptural issue of form vs. function.
No comments:
Post a Comment