Chuck Close at the 2nd Avenue Subway
If you were introduced to twenty people but you could only identify them using their social security numbers, how many would you be able to pick out of a crowd the next day? If you're like me, probably zero. That's kind of what it's like to have prosopagnosia, or face blindness. Facial features become a mess of details that you just can’t remember. That’s pretty fascinating, right? And you know what’s even more fascinating? Chuck Close, a portrait artist, suffers from it.
Who is Chuck Close?
A portrait by Chuck Close at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City
A self-portrait by Chuck Close at the 86th Street 2nd Avenue subway station
Even without the prosopagnosia, Close’s path as an artist has not been an easy one. He battled dyslexia and neuromuscular weakness as a child, then suffered a spinal artery collapse at 48 that left him paralyzed from the neck down. But consistent resistance builds the right kind of muscles -- perhaps the only positive outcome of such a hard life -- so rehabilitation and sheer will helped him regain enough movement in his arms to allow him to make art again. Even if he still has to use both hands to hold a brush.
The signature style we’ve come to associate with Close is a product of his existence. Breaking down faces that he would normally struggle to remember helps him process its components. Each face is unique: a mole above the lip, a birthmark on a cheek, wrinkles around the eyes. Turning the face into a two-dimensional piece registers differently, and circumvents the face blindness. Chuck Close’s work hangs in many prestigious museums, like the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC and the Whitney Museum of Art in New York City. And now, it graces the walls of the 86th St station of the new 2nd Avenue subway.
What is the 2nd Avenue Subway?
A portrait of Lou Reed by Chuck Close at the 86th St 2nd Avenue subway station
The 2nd Avenue Subway opened on January 1, 2017 after significant delays and budget overruns drawing ire from the residents. Construction originally began in 1972 but was placed on hold in 1975 because of the city's fiscal crisis, and didn’t restart again until 2007. The new 2nd Avenue Subway runs under Second Avenue in the Upper East Side from 65th Street to 105th Street, with three new stations at 72nd Street, 86th Street and 96th Street. The 86th Street station is where you’ll find Chuck Close’s portraits.
The twelve separate portraits are meant to reflect the diverse riding population, and they include a self-portrait as well as images of other artists like Lou Reed and Cecily Brown. Creative mosaic renderings bring the mammoth likenesses to life with every shadow and expressive nuance immaculately captured.
Who is behind the 2nd Avenue Subway Art?
All the art in the subway stations are commissioned by MTA Arts & Design. In the 72nd Street station of the 2nd Avenue Subway, Brazilian artist Vik Muniz photographed unique and quirky people one might encounter on the subway, then recreated them in mosaics. In the 96th Street station, Sarah Sze’s artwork creates a sense of movement, with everyday items like paper and foliage seemingly caught up in a whirlwind.
As with all subway stations, you can travel between each station for free after you’ve paid your initial fare (just don’t leave the station until you’re done!). So head over to the 2nd Avenue Subway and experience some of the coolest art galleries around for the price of a MetroCard swipe.
Make it a date! Pair it with:
Brunch at 2nd Avenue Deli
The first thing we should tell you is that 2nd Ave Deli is actually located on... 1st Avenue! (The name is based on its original location, which closed in 2006). 2nd Ave Deli is a certified-kosher deli that was opened in 1954 and has remained in the family since. You can find authentic Jewish staples here like knishes and matzo brei. All the meats are cured in-house, and although everyone has a favorite when it comes to pastrami sandwiches, there’s no arguing that 2nd Ave Deli’s often makes the list.
The brunch here is often overlooked in favor of their traditional dishes. But there’s nothing more satisfying than their simple Lox and Eggs or Corned Beef Omelet on a lazy weekend. At the end of the meal, you’re served a shot of egg cream each. It’s the perfect way to impress a date.
Location:
Hours:
Monday through Friday 11 am - 12 am
Saturday & Sunday 9 am - 12 am
