One of the things I love most about art is how it can restore the spirit, and nowhere is this more needed than in the New York subway. Commuting via subway can be arduous at the best of times, and the dead heat of summer is not the best of times. While the subway trains themselves are usually pleasantly air-conditioned, the platforms and tunnels develop a unique microcosm that resembles a urinal…in a sauna…that is located approximately 3 miles from the surface of the sun. Tempers fray as commuters, sweat glistening from their brows, elbow each other out of the way to get off the platforms and out of the tunnels as quickly as possible.
It was on just such a day that I got a little lost on the way to Penn Station. I usually enter the station from street level, but this time, I got off at the 34th Street A/C/E station and absentmindedly followed a sign for Penn Station that led to one of those dreaded tunnels. It was quite empty – presumably because everyone else had wisely opted to get outside as quickly as possible. As I forged on, wondering how long it would take for me to go down with heatstroke, I rounded a corner and was greeted by a Garden of Circus Delights. No, it wasn’t a mirage, it was a fabulous glass mosaic by artist Eric Fischl, adorning the walls of the tunnel leading towards Penn Station.
The series of mosaics tell the story of a commuter who gets magically drawn into the weird and wacky world of the circus on his way to work. You follow his circus adventures as you travel along the tunnel, and at the end, he re-emerges, surrounded by white, still a commuter but somehow transformed.
Off we go!
While I wasn’t exactly transformed by the time I reached Penn Station, my spirits were definitely restored.
Art can be interpreted in so many different ways, I’d love to see your take on the theme.
If you’d like to join in, create your own post between now and next Friday, title it “Travel theme: Art” and put a link to this page in your blog post to make it easy for others to find your post. Don’t forget to check back in next Friday for a new travel theme.
Have you had a memorable encounter with art in some shape or form?
xxx Ailsa
Where's my backpack? 
Just found two lovely entries from Sue over at A Word in Your Ear:
http://suellewellyn2011.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/travel-theme-art/
http://suellewellyn2011.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/weekly-photo-challenge-art-look-into-the-glass-and-what-do-you-see/
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Here is my contribution to the theme: http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/travel-theme-art/ Thank you for the cool idea, Ailsa!
And thank you, Amy, for your tour round Prague, Bellevue and San Antonio. Dale Chilhuly is popular this week – Livvy at A Year in My Shoes posted a photo of his glass flower ceiling at the Bellagio in Vegas.
I’d like to make a link to my post if it’s okay with you.
Absolutely, it’s a gorgeous photo, isn’t it? xxx
Hi kids … been away for a bit, but now I’m back! LOVE this challenge, and here’s my take:
Hurray, welcome back Stephen! I’m kind of freaked out a little by Silly Pink Bunny 🙂
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Fabulous mosaic, so much work involved to create them. I’m afraid I’ve been a little irreverent by taking a rather highbrow subject and distinctly lowering the tone 🙂
http://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/travel-theme-art/
Gilly, you rascal, this is hysterical, caught me totally unawares mid-sip of my coffee – I nearly drowned laughing!
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I accept your challenge! (first time ever)
🙂
http://eludingennui.com/2012/07/01/travel-theme-art/
Hurrah, welcome aboard. I too would love a giant bandaid and a spaceship in the side of my house!
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Hi Ailsa, I love your glass mosaics in the New York Subway. This art must really be refreshing especially in the setting as you describe it! What a welcome relief!
Here is mine from Oman. Not exactly street art as for some reason I don’t find that here. 🙂
Really beautiful, Cathy, thanks for sharing some stunning examples of Omani art. I agree, those headscarves are works of art themselves. So beautiful. And yes, that mosaic was definitely a welcome relief in the confines of the subway tunnels. 🙂
Thank you Ailsa! You’re right in that art can be truly refreshing!
I am a poor unfortunate, I haven’t travelled!! Sob! However, I am offering a post, not so much about the photo, or artwork, which is my own, but the message. I hope it is acceptable and applicable http://wp.me/p2jE0a-hC
That is a fantastic drawing of elephants, Charlene, so cool! Here’s my approach to travel – you don’t have to leave home to experience the world as a traveller – I’ve never been to your part of the world, so if you have places in your neighbourhood you want to share, do it – that way, if I ever get to where you are, I’ll know the great places to go, because of you! 🙂 xxx Ailsa
Thanks love, I have tons to share about South Africa – it is a stunning place!
I can only imagine, Charlene – I look forward to seeing more of it through your eyes! xxx
this is real wonderful
Doubt it that I would ever get there – so enjoyed it through your lens
Well I’m very glad you got to see it here, Rosa, even if you don’t get to see it in person. It’s lovely! xxx
love all your shots
here is mine for this week
http://pollysspace.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/travel-theme-art/
Really lovely, Polly, the fish is my favourite, he looks kind of tough!
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Hi Ailsa, here’s another mosaic mural for you!
Wow, it’s huge, how far does it stretch? The detail is extraordinary – I can’t imagine the amount of work that must have gone into its creation.
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Hi Ailsa, this is my contribution on this week travel theme 🙂 enjoy…
http://demaodyssey.com/2012/07/02/travel-theme-art/
Such a cool open air museum, Dema, that house on stilts is my favourite! xxx Ailsa
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Here’s my contribution, ailsa. http://adinparadise.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/travel-theme-art/
Your sis is definitely a gifted artist, and I’m so intrigued with her days at D’Oyly Carte and her page three appearance. What a life she’s lived. 🙂
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Great photos – they remind me of what I decided to post. It was difficult having as much art as I have but I wanted to bring some travel into it. Hope you and others enjoy – Thanks, Ailsa for these challenges.
Toodles,
Isadora
http://insidethemindofisadora.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/travel-theme-art-ybor-city/
Fabulous tour around Ybor City – order me up a mojito! 🙂
coming right up …. ~~~~~ : – )
A cool and adventurous way to escape the sizzling Summer heat.Beautiful images!!!
Thanks Mr B 🙂
Here’s my contribution to the challenge: http://serendipityplus.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/travel-theme-art/
Thanks for the opportunity! 😀
Stunning. Yet another reason to get an iPhone. Wonderful post, Laura!
Thanks so much! 😀
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Hi Ailsa – I have been encouraged by CanadianTravelBugs to join in with your Photo Challenge. It´s my first time here, so I hope my contribution is worthy. Thanks for the challenge. 🙂
http://eastofmalaga.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/travel-theme-art/
I’m so glad you joined in, Marianne, and what a beautifully artistic little look-out point you discovered, thanks for sharing it with us.
Glad you took my advice and joined in… great shots Marianne! Thanks for the shout out 🙂
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monument to the unknown washer women and other art in Luxembourg:
Hurrah, three cheers to the unknown washer women – this made me smile, so much fun! 🙂
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A very neat mosaic! I’m jumping back in this week with a photo from Valparaiso, Chile: http://followabbie.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/travel-theme-art/
Fabulous shot, beautiful and eerie at the same time! xxx
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Hey there Ailsa,
Love the mosaic! Here’s my art photo:
Have a great week,
Ruth
Oh I love elephants too, Ruth, and yes, gasping out loud is probably the highest form of praise there is 🙂
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Wonderful theme, and great mosaics and station art, Ailsa! Sometimes we find the most lovely things in the least likely places!
Here’s me for the week: http://theretiringsort.com/2012/07/03/travel-theme-art/
Really lovely post about Parisian art – brings me back to a glorious sunset from the top of the Eiffel Tower, and wandering through the Louvre. The Mona Lisa is something special.
Thanks 😉
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Well, here’s my take. I do have a request. If anyone knows the blogger that posted the Ken Robinson video in her ART post, please let me know. I’d like to credit her for the video. Thanks. Enjoy. http://firstandfabulous.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/travel-theme-art/
Must. Have. Cake. They look so good 🙂
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What a marvelous use of what would otherwise be dreary wall space. It must give a lift just walking by it. Here is my contribution http://lynneayersbeyondthebrush.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/travel-theme-art/
This was a thoroughly lovely post, Lynne, very moving. xxx
Hi! Ailsa, great mosaics, they add so much to what really can be quite a mundane space. Perhaps not as glamorous as your mosaics my post is about grafffitti of another kind… 🙂 completely natural, the question is…..but is it ART??……….. 🙂
What a wonderful find. Would definitely make the time in the tunnel worth the heat and sweat. Plus, you captured it very well.
Thanks Jeff, it certainly took my mind off the heat 🙂 xxx
Seems a shame, despite the heat, there appears to be no one else enjoying it.
Those wiser than me probably admire it in winter 😉
Then you would be up to your eyeballs in people and not be able to get a clear shot of it. 😀
I suffer for my art, Jeff. 😉
Don’t we all 😛
I came back with a more interesting art theme post!
http://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2012/07/04/travel-theme-art-2/
I love this, Gilly, how long ago did you visit? Incredibly inspiring. Thanks for letting us know about SWOPA and showing us some of the spectacular artwork. xxx
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Hi, Ailsa…
This is my first time to participate in your Weekly Travel Themes and here’s my entry:
Thanks for creating this weekly challenge. 🙂
So much fun, Inge, the Canoodling Canoe Gnus rock! 🙂
I think I’ve walked through that same tunnel! 🙂 Great artwork and great photos. Here’s mine from my other blog: http://doubledallabouttown.wordpress.com/2012/07/04/travel-theme-art/
Fabulous, Debbie, now I know where to go when I make it to Denver! 🙂