Funktional Vibrations, X. Bailey New York
Subway Art 11
Xenobia Bailey (women's life coach) is a Harlem-based female African-American fine artist, fiber artist, designer, supernaturalist and cultural activist. This installation of her work in the new MTA Hudson Yards station is probably the largest piece in the subway network. Three mosaics installed in three different locations are based on some of Bailey's crocheting patterns.
About Funktional Vibrations, Bailey said "It's the cosmos. I wanted the pieces to be motivating like the sunrise, sunset, and shooting stars. I wanted to design something with a similar ambience that would inspire an invigorating state of being."
This station is more than 100 feet deep, placing it among the system's deepest, and a counterpoint to the system's highest, Smith/9th Street at 90 feet. Hudson Yards is a new development on the far west side of Manhattan, formerly industrial - factory buildings, train tracks, that sort of stuff. The Jacob Javits Convention Center is nearby. This station terminates the brand new $2.4 billion extension of the 7 Train.
I think the subway art about which I write is meant to provoke you in unexpected ways. It's not destination art. Instead, if after spotting a few pieces, one feels one's curiosity piqued, reaching that higher plane pays rewards in other ways. There may be fifty or more pieces scattered about, nearly all beautiful and provocative. Keep your eyes peeled! And, it's not all new - some date back many decades.
I've been searching for a retail outlet selling her work. So far, no luck, but she does have an online presence.
About this spot
West 34th Street 564
- 24 hours daily
US$
no-price
Find your way with 300 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in New York
Grandma's Place
Inclusive Books and Toys
I stumbled across a store about which I had read but never visited—the very inviting and colourful playground of Dawn Harris-Martine), retired teacher, now famous—named Grandma’s Place.
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Sisters Uptown Bookstore
African diaspora hub
"Sisters Uptown Bookstore" in NYC is a hidden shop/cultural center w/ an eye-opening trove of books by African diaspora authors. A true neighborhood spot!
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Color World
Curb Side BBQ
Color World sets up on the corner of 116th and 2nd Avenue, rain or shine. There they serve beef, pork, goat, oxtail, and chicken for $10 a plate.
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Don Alejo Coffee
Coffee, toasts and burritos
Their prices are in keeping with the neighborhood: a plate of two eggs, two pancakes, 'home' fried potatoes and your choice of sausages or bacon, is $12.
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Icons' Homes
James, James & Dorothy
There are three houses not far from each other in NYC of three icons: James Dean, James Baldwin, and Dorothy Parker...
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Heckscher Field/Central Park
Broadway show league
"Heckscher Field" in Central Park, New York, is used for softball. Here you can see games played for the Broadway Show League. Celebrity stars may be seen.
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
74st Café
American overlooking Beacon Theater
Among its offerings are a $10 breakfast special and its enormous $15 lunchtime hamburger, a price unobtainable anywhere else within walking distance.
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Verdi Square
People Watching
This sun soaked park bench is a destination neighborhood residents know, spending time there in observation. It’s one of the more fabulous NYC stages.
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Monumental Women
Central Park Monument Representing Real Women
"Monumental Women" has erected this monument in Central Park, NYC to especially important figures in the United States women's equality movement...
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Der Krung
Best Thai spot in town
"Der Krung" in Hell's Kitchen in New York City is by far my favorite Thai place around. One of the best things about it is the $9.75 lunch special...
By
Christian
Neely
Frick Collection
Intimate, reopened art museum
Visit the newly restored Frick Collection, a Gilded Age treasure with masterpieces by Vermeer and Fragonard, housed in a historic Fifth Avenue mansion.
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Apthorp Cleaners
Barbies, Barbies, Barbies
"Apthorp Cleaners" in NYC is different from the dozens of other neighborhood cleaners by its permanent but ever-changing window display of Barbie dolls...
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Heading to New York?
300 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to New York this weekend?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 300 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
Our team loves New York
Get to know our other Spotters from New York
As featured on:
