Railrider’s Throne

1991 116th Street – Columbia University (1) New York City Transit

With this artwork, an oversized and grand chair made of steel, artist Michelle Greene introduces humor into the station. The chair's design echoes subway motifs and achieves the subway founders' design mission to make the subway a pleasant and hospitable place. "I wanted to create a whimsical environment that allows the commuter to feel special as opposed to alienated," says the artist. "I believe that art in a public space has the potential to stir people from their daily routine." Rider comments show that the art succeeds in doing so, as transit users engage in conversation and interact with the chair while waiting on the platform.