After last week’s election and the victory of President-Elect Donald Trump, artist Matthew Chavez put out a table, in the Union Square subway passageway, covered with markers and sticky notes for people to share their feelings.
Since doing so, thousands of people in New York City have filled the walls at Union Square with sticky notes expressing messages, of sorrow, hope, and encouragement for all that may read them. Even New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, joined in the artistic grief therapy, leaving a note on the passageway wall with a quote by poet, Emma Lazarus.
But, many New Yorkers were curious that given the Metropolitan Transportation Authority banned political advertising in the subway passages last year, if they would let this art project continue.
Many were pleased to hear that the MTA will let the art display continue for now.
MTA chairman Tom Prendergast said on last Wednesday that the art project “was an expression of people’s emotions, that how do you say no to? There’s a point at which maybe you do have to say no to it, but for people to be able to express whatever their issues or concerns or frustrations, that’s the American way. Why would we say no to that?”
Artist, Matthew Chavez, who titled the project “Subway Therapy,” wrote “Each day I take down all the post-its and put a small amount back up the following day. They are like seeds that help each day to be alive and fresh.”
TJ is a managing partner of USA-LEADS. USA-LEADS creates comprehensive and informative websites for individuals looking for educational information about the requirements and certifications needed in a given field. He has been in the digital space since 2009 and quickly went from having ZERO knowledge of all things internet to becoming the Director of Web Services at a custom software development company. Prior to entering the space he taught children with learning differences for 9 years.
