Josh's Super-Duper Subway Adventures

The Subway as a Workplace and Home

The subway is a culture all its own. As soon as one steps down into the subway station, everything changes. Different social rules suddenly apply and there is a definite change in atmosphere. It is a dark and often dirty place. Many of us utilize the subway because we need transportation and the subway is the cheapest and fastest form of this necessity. There are others, though, who see the subway as an opportunity: to work, and maybe to live. Currently, there are around 34,000 people living in shelters in New York City. An estimated 3,843 homeless individuals are living outside of shelters, on the street, in parks, and in the subway (http://www.nyc.gov/dhs). Major causes for homelessness include unemployment, loss of housing, health issues, breakdown of the family unit, mental illness, and substance abuse. This essay will examine the subway as it functions as both a living space and a workplace.


Many of us living in New York City wake up in the morning in our comfortable beds. We get ready for the day; eat breakfast at our kitchen table. But for those who choose to live underground, these conveniences are often not available. For whatever reason, New York, along with all major cities, is home to a large homeless population. Many choose to live their lives in shelters, while a relative few choose a life underground. There are different kinds of subway living. One of which takes place in active subway stations. At night, many homeless individuals move off the streets, where they exist during the day and move to the subway platforms, largely deserted at night. Here, they may find some kind of peace and quiet. Police pose the largest threat in this situation, forcing them to move, likely to another platform or to some other public space such as a park or an ATM vestibule. This kind of subway living is temporary, but it is not the only way.


While some homeless people live in the subway by moving from platform to platform in the night, others choose a more permanent manner of subway life. Often referred to as mole people, these individuals set up communities within the abandoned subway stations. Below the surface, they exist in makeshift societies. Sometimes led by a central figure, these communities may be made up of hundreds of people. A few of these communities have some forms of light and leaky pipes that serve as running water. Many of the mole people stay down in the dark for weeks at a time. They have most things that they need. Some feed off rats, while others surface in search of food. There have been many documentations of this phenomenon, some more accurate than others. Marc Singer’s documentary “Dark Days” was filmed by mole people in their own community in the Freedom Tunnel, shown here as it exists today. Singer lived among the mole people prior to choosing to make “Dark Days” Jennifer Toth’s book, The Mole People: Life in the Tunnels Beneath New York City, presents similar findings, though much of what she writes has been refuted. The mole people contain an air of mystery which is perhaps what has made them a spectacle for pop culture. The subway station and its tunnels contain a sense of the unknown. Pairing with knowledge of real mole people and societies, an overall vibe of the subway is emitted.


The subway houses all types of people. Some of them hold college degrees, others once maintained high-paying occupations, while still others worked for minimum wage. Now, many turn to the subway as a means of work. While many of the subway’s performers have contracts with the city, most of the homeless performers do not have permits. They work by playing musical instruments, often homemade and interesting. Some dance for those waiting for their trains. Ultimately, most people do not make enough money to get them off the streets, so this kind of work is generally helpful in finding the day’s food. Another form of work is the classic: begging. These destitute souls roam the platforms, cup in hand. Or, if they’re ambitious, they will ride the trains, soliciting help and pity from the fellow riders. Most people try their best to avoid these situations, and if they are confronted, many will give away their change so as to be agreeable.

The subway can also serve as a place of fun for many who live and work there. Excluding performance, which is mainly motivated by money, a lot of the homeless fill the subway with art for fun. The walls are lined with graffitti, murals, and other popular forms of public art, though the vast majority of the public does not get to see this art. Though for the most part, the lives of the homeless are not fun-filled, they do utilize their space as canvas.

My purpose for this essay is to argue the subway as a more complex public space as it is generally thought to be. Though it is fairly accessible, certain areas such as the mole villages are exclusive, as they emit a valid sense of danger to intruding tourists. In recent years, an effort to clean up the subways has lessened the homeless presence. Police harrassement plays a large role in the attempt to maintain the subway as semi-public space. Though payment is required to enter, there are obviously ways around this. The subway offers free housing to those who will accept it, in all its grime and glory! It serves as a cultural center, with foreign musicians displaying their native sounds, as well as a place for many to work, legally and illegally. Keeping this in mind, the subway can be considered a mixed-use space.

I dont know why it's sideways.....lets just say its artsy that way

Graffiti has always been part of a subculture that brings out camaraderie and creativity among its members. This art form is most definitely public art and even more so than most pieces deemed public by our readings. As the graffiti we are studying is illegal, it is not commissioned. Commissioned public art has monetary motivations and is not merely created for the public. Graffiti elicits a sense of pride in the artist, as it is created solely as an outlet for expression. This art form is socially and politically significant because of its issues with legality. It goes against the law to generate beauty.

Because graffiti is its own subculture, it is connected with its own language, each term a significant aspect of the art. Tagging is important, as it is the quantity that matters. Tagging shows that graffiti lives. It is most rebellious in its annoyance to authorities. Racking up is also important. Though stealing is generally looked down upon, it somehow seems right that the tools used to rebel against social norms are taken without paying the society that is being rebelled against. This man exhibits another form of public "rebel" art. He is homeless and it is not likely that he has a permit to perform......on buckets! He is risking arrest so that he may perform, though his motivation is probably money first and creativity second. Again, it is the fact that this is unlawful that makes it so significant.

Michele Oka Doner is a native of Miami. She is well-known as a public artist (commisioned) and her art can also be seen in the Miami International Airport. Most of Michele's art is focused on sculpture, which is related to her itense interest in and study of nature.

Radiant Site is made up of handmade, bronze-glazed bricks that line the wall. The beauty of this piece is found in its simplicity. As already mentioned, the artist is typically concerned with natural elements. This is quite possibly what has the most effect on Radiant Site's setting, in a poorly-lit and depressing subway station.

Radiant Site is located on 34th Street, at the Herald Square station, which is positioned just below midtown, with little inclination either east or west. The station itself undertook a large renovation effort to change its "dungeon-like' qualities (dark, confusing signage, tricky stairs). This was in 1990 and Radiant Site was installed in '91, likely as a part of this rennovation.

For the most part, I think that a minimal reaction is expected to art like this. People (non-artists) tend to like pictures of pretty things. Of course, Radiant Site is shiny! Who doesn't like shiny? Still, I believe that this piece breathes some fresh air into an otherwise stagnant environment. The natural elements hilighted in the sculpture contrast the completely unnatural atmosphere.

In Subway City, terms such as 'picturesque' and 'sublime' are used to described New York City. To me, these terms still have meaning, as New York City is truly a beautiful place. I find the vibes given off by most areas of the city to be both unique and amazing. The brownstones, the parks, the people; these all give off a sense that can only be felt and not described. The public art is amazing too. Taking into account Roy Lichtenstein's famous Times Square mural and others like it displays the concept of 'city beautiful'. Even more applicable in terms of public art is graffiti, which is praised in Subway City.
The difference betweem 722 Miles and Subway City is great, though both are valuable. 722 Miles tends to offer a dry history of the subway and its politics. In other words, the author gives us the plain facts, fairly objectively. Subway City, on he contrary, provides more of a subjective view of the social conditions that contributed to the subway, and also the social conditions and attitudes produced by the subway's construction.

I am sorry that I was unable to post by monday night. I was away observing Yom Kippur with my family.

I really dislike Times Square. Just being there makes me uncomfortable. It is one of the busiest and most commercialized areas in New York. Everywhere you go, someone is trying to sell you something. For me, this means that I always must be skeptical.

Times Square is most definitely a mixed-use area, at least when considering business. All types of business are present, from the wealthy business man to the overly enthusiastic saw-playing lady. It is not very residential, and I doubt many people would like to live there. It is both accessible and inaccesible. To someone like me, it is inaccessible, as I get anxious just walking through. The constant pressure to keep moving is insane. This area can also be seen as accessible because it is sucha major tourist attraction. The stores, theaters, and bright lights draw people from all over to this confusing area.
Times Square is very ambiguous. It is both open and exclsuive in that anyone can go there, but you pretty much have to have money to spend (unless you want to view the free 15 minute Scientology film). Though the vendors of smut of the old Times Square are mainly gone from the area, the new Times Square includes vendors of comedy and theatrical shows, and what is deemed as more appropriate entertainment. In this way, we can see that people are trying to reclaim the area from the big businesses.
The clash of diversity is enormous, as always. While there may be fewer prostitutes and drug dealers, there are still just as many tourists and passerbys, as well as a host of other people such as the business people and movie stars. Times Square may be a lot safer than it once was, but it's still Times Square. In fact, there was just a shooting there the other day! I agree with McNamara that there is a clash of diversity, but I disgree where he states that in Times Square people meet "face-to-face". How often do you actually stop and talk to one of the many strangers you walk by? I never do.

I find Times Square to be one of my least favorite parts of the city. I will not go there unless I have to. To me, it shows some of the least attractive qualities of both human nature and our culture. To be fair, I suppose it serves a purpose. I just wish you could walk through without being constantly reminded of that purpose.

The neighborhood around the Delancey Street station is located in the Lower East Side. While this area of New York City is generally considered one of the nicer sections, Delancey itself is not. The neighborhood is characterized as slightly lower class, but up and coming. It is very busy, as it is a large commercial area. I believe the public space around Delancey to be very accessible. The streets do not generally pose any type of threat. In other words, I always feel safe there, though I guess this is personal. Visual access is unrestricted, as is physical access. There are parks that are open to all. I suppose the only thing that might make Delancey exclusive is that, as there are so many shops, one would need money to utilize them. The kinaesthetic experience of the Delancey neighborhood is one of fluidity. It is not too difficult to move through the area. Personally, I do not get a sense that I am 'here' and that there is an outside part to the neighborhood. Rather, I find that while passing through the neighborhood seems just like many in New York. I think that most neighborhoods in New York are positive spaces, as is Delancey. Generally, this is largely owed to the grid structure. This gives a sense of enclosure (safe) that also allows for lots of space.
The Delancey area is not a square, it is a street. The main streets are fairly wide and the buildings are tall, though no taller than most places within the city. As stated in "Public Places -Urban Spaces", this lets the observer see more than just the surrounding buildings. The skyline and floorscape are prominent, giving an open feeling to the neighborhood. In this part of the city, privacy is not much of an option. There are some smaller side streets, but in general, everything that is happening you see and hear. In terms of mixed-use space, this neighborhood certainly qualifies. This area is both commercial and residential. Much of the housing is lower-class and the commercial aspect of the neighborhood is mostly cheap and tacky shops. Still, the Delancey neighborhood is comfortable to walk through, and it provides a good example of public space.

Lyn Lofland's The World of Strangers takes a good socioogical look at the stranger. I found alot of what she says to be questionable. Or if not questionable, a lot of it is common sense. She writes that once we see somone and size them up, we now personally know them for at least that brief moment. I disagree, because on the subway, I know noone.

With that said, I would like to express my particular experiences with strangers on the subway. I find that once people enter the subway, they all try to play one of the identity games Loftland mentions. Most people have their guard up as some sort of defense mechanism. Most people are staring at the ceiling or the floor. You also see some darting eyes, attempting not to stare at one place for too long. Personally, I prefer to deeply analyze the usually horrible ads on the wall I am facing. At least I pretend to do this. As far as interaction goes, I seldom find strangers talking to each other. If they are, it is most often discussion about the weather or some other trivial topic. Though I mostly try to keep to myself, I can't help but be entertained by some of the louder subway riders. I enjoy humoring the preachers. Another interesting aspect of strangers are those waiting for their trains. I get a lot of strange looks when taking pictures in the subway station which give me some feelings of anxiety. Basically, a commonality among all strangers in the subway is to act as least confrontational as possible.