Josh's Super-Duper Subway Adventures

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.