Nature Rail

2012 62nd Street (D) New York City Transit

“Nature Rail” is a stainless steel sculptural work installed in the railings of the 62 St station’s transfer areas connecting the with the line via the New Utrecht Av station. “Nature Rail” is composed of five modular compositions by Andrea Dezsö, which have been combined depending on the location and configuration of the station railings.

The plant and animal life that survives on its own, in the urban environment surrounding the elevated train, captured Dezsö’s imagination and served as the central theme of “Nature Rail.” Plants — trees, vines, flowers — and small, wild animals — grasshoppers, bees, birds and rabbits — are depicted in silhouetted details using laser cut-out with sandblasted finishes. The resulting work resembles the traditional paper cut, a popular folk art medium familiar to many of the ethnic groups who make Bensonhurst their home. For Dezsö, Chinese cut paper art may differ from Italian, Jewish, or Mexican decorative and folk cut paper art, yet there are common elements among each, including natural subjects and varying degrees of symmetry. With her work, she creates a delightful visual focal point, which can be seen by all who enter the station as well as those on the street below.