‘Contemporary Art Underground invites us to see extraordinary beauty in the mundane.’ – New York Times Book Review

A celebration of more than 100 significant public art commissions in the New York subway, Contemporary Art Underground presents more than 100 permanent works completed between 2015 and 2023 by MTA Arts & Design. This innovative site-specific works program from a wide range of known and emerging contemporary artists has contributed to creating a sense of character and place in subway and railway stations in the MTA area. Among the participating artists are Yayoi Kusama, Kiki Smith, Nick Cave, Ann Hamilton, Xenobia Bailey, Jim Hodges, Alex Katz, Sarah Sze, and Vik Muniz.

Of particular interest is the discussion on the construction and transfer of the artist's imprint or model into mosaic, glass, or metal, materials that can withstand the subway environment. This is the definitive research of the latest works in the internationally recognized collection of MTA Arts & Design. The collection is visible 24/7 and is seen daily by more than four million subway and train passengers, having been characterized as New York's ‘Underground Art Museum.’ The collection illuminates stations in all boroughs, with numerous works by great contemporary artists executed in mosaic, glass, metal, and ceramic.

Pages: 264, Year of Publication: 0409, Dimensions: 24.8x24.8cm