Thursday, October 25, 2007

What Lies Beneath

I walked by Greene Street in SoHo many times but never noticed the artwork beneath me until this past weekend when I saw some tourists reading the sign (photo #2) on the floor. That was when I realized there was something interesting there. It is an interpretation of the New York City subway map by Franciose Schein. To see the real NYC subway map, click here.

So do you usually look at what's beneath you? Have you ever stepped on a piece of gum or dog doo-doo?

23 comments:

Shammickite said...

How interesting, a subway map on the sidewalk. I often notice things on the sidewalk, I suppose I must walk with my head down all the time. It probably comes from living near a large tourist car park as a child, I often used to find money on the ground that had been dropped by people fumbling in their pockets for cash to pay the car park attendant!

Shammickite said...

Nice shoes!

Bob Crowe said...

The sidewalk graphic is very cool but looks much more like an electronic diagram. It doesn't make a statement about human anything to me but I still like it a lot.

It's now definite I will be visiting my sister in Bergen County from 12/26 to 12/30. Hope we can get together.

Kate said...

Unusual, but doesn't grab me. I suppose it would if I were there and seeing it in the flesh. I'm a bit distracted, I admit, by the World Series right now. I usually look up rather than down; guess I just like architecture.

Janet said...

In New York, I imagine I would look up!

WichitaKsDailyPhoto said...

I look up, down, and all around, when walking - don't want to miss anything. If I'd of seen this map on the sidewalk, I don't think I'd of associated it with the subway.

Fénix - Bostonscapes said...

I can't believe I missed that! I guess that also answers your question...

• Eliane • said...

This is so cool! Is the subway map realistic?
Cool shoes!
And yes, i look where I put my feet, don't you? Especially when it rains - it helps negociating the best way to cross the street. :)

JaamZIN said...

cute shoes:) And the map is amazing!:)

Lynette said...

Before I forget, it's cool that you followed your artistic-fence-grid photo with this one of the stylized subway map. Neat.

I look down--or at least ahead--more often than you'd think, partly to remain aware of my footing as I grow older, partly to help make sure Mama's paying attention, too, when we're walking together. I've not stepped in dog poo but I have stepped in gum. Not lately, though. I'll have to pay close attention tomorrow in case I just jinxed myself!

GMG said...

That's an amazing picture! And of course I was pleased to read that Lisbon is on that sidewalk, just next to your cute shoes! ;)

Peter said...

Dog do-dos used to be common in Paris... and I walked on a few. Now, it's getting better and the pavements are anyhow cleaned every day! There are also a few things you can find if you look down here in Paris like the signs of the old meridien line (see Da Vinci Code), which I have posted about... It's true that walking around in a city, you seldom look at where you put your feet!

Todd HellsKitchen said...

I've never noticed that either...

You did a great capture of it!

Annie said...

Ooh, a whole other world beneath our feet. We forget about that as we walk along.

Yes, I've stepped in it a time or two.

maria elisa said...

yeah.....nice shoes!

:)

Gwen said...

Art in public places is always interesting to look at, especially when you discover it without really looking or just happen upon it.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

That's cool! And yes, sadly, I have stepped in both of those things!

Anonymous said...

I stepped on a piece of dog crap on my way to a very long lunch in the middle of nowhere one afternoon. When my coworkers and I finally made it to the place (a dive known for its fabulous cheese steaks), there was no bathroom in the restaurant. So, I had to march down the street to a gas station, use that beauty of a restroom, try to get all the dog crap off my shoes, and wash my hands, and then return to eat a fabulous cheese steak. The only problem? The cheese steak was AWFUL, one of the worst I've had. It was a great experience.

teahouse said...

Whoa, that's cool!!

And I LOVE your shoes ;o)

Unknown said...

I usually look where I walk. I dont know why.

Aha... you will very very very rarely find chewing gum or even step on it in Singapore! hahaha....

Lori said...

That is so cool! I'll have to look for it when I'm in Soho next. I imagine there are many things we pass by without noticing. I like that shot with your shoes!

NormanTheDoxie said...

Interestingly, this week's New York Magazine's designer issue features Massimo and Lella Vignelli, who co-designed the original MTA map in 1972.

And, yes....I've stepped on many chewing gums and doggie poops.

Kiwi said...

It says "Paris Brussels Lisbon Stockholm Berlin" on the sign (an inch above the shoes ;o) ). Am I to understand that there are similar art works in these cities? Does anybody know?