Subway Art: Interview with Artist Lisa Dinhofer
To further learn about subway art, we contacted Lisa Dinhofer, an artist who is directly involved in subway art. Ms. Dinhofer’s artwork “Losing My Marbles” is featured underground the Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal subway stop. We were interested in her work and her involvement with the MTA. Through several emails, we asked Lisa Dinhofer the following questions and this was what she told us.
Q: Can you give us a background on yourself and the kind of art you
do? When did you start making art and why?
A: I am a painter, draftsman, and printmaker living and working in
New York City. I’ve been doing art since I was a child. I went
through the NYC pubic schools then received a BA from Brandeis
University and an MFA from the University of Pennsylvania. You
might want to go to the web site www.biddingtons.com for more info.
I can also send you a resume and catalogue if you like. I am
represented by Denise Bibro Fine Art, Inc. The gallery is located in
Chelsea, 529 W. 20th St., 4th fl. Please, visit the gallery as part of your
research.
Q: How did you get involved with the MTA? Are you working with the
MTA now, and if so, what are you working on?
A: The curators at MTA, Arts for Transit saw my work at the percent for
art slide file. I am not working with the MTA at the moment but of
course, I would love to do another project in the future.
Q: How did you start the project “Losing My Marbles”? Did you create
this work specifically for the MTA? Did they contact you to do this
project?
A: The MTA contacted me for a slide portfolio. I was chosen from that
portfolio to be a finalist for the specific project at 42nd St. I then
created a piece to scale for that site. I started the project by looking
at the wall, making sketches and building on the ideas.
Q: In the creative aspect, what was your inspiration and/or motivation
to create “Losing My Marbles”? Did the MTA give you any guidelines, or
was everything up to you? Who were you trying to speak to through
your art?
A: I have been working with marbles and spheres for a while,
concentrating on reflections. The space in my paintings I’ve created
but it is believable. “Losing My Marbles”, came out of the ideas I’ve
been working out in my paintings for several years. The MTA did not
put any limits or asked me to conform to any ideas. They just asked for
a site specific piece. Marbles are a universal toy. Everyone recognizes
the image and these toys evoke childhood. So I hope to speak to
everyone, regardless of age, race, nationality or gender.
Q: Who do you think “Losing My Marble”, and other subway art,
reaches out to the most?
A: Anyone who walks onto that Mezzanine.
Q: How do you think NYC subway art is unique to the NYC culture?
A: There are over 100 works of art in the subway system. It is one of
the largest contmporary museums. And it just costs $2. There is a
book on the stands now called “Along the Way: MTA, Arts for Transit”.
Q: From your professional point of view, do youvfeel that the art that
you and the other artists have created for the MTA system represents
this unique NYC culture or the people of NYC? Would you have done
the same piece if you were doing it for another city, state, or even
country?
A: My concern when creating the piece for the MTA was to create a
unique visual experience in the particular site. Thematically it could be
transfered to other cities. The universality of marbles can be
appreciated by all. It is up to the MTA’s chosen committee to decide
which art work is appropiate in what place. Some of the art works in
the system are more specific to NYC. For example, the Jacob Lawrence
at the shuttle passage at 42nd St. illustrates a NYC subway car. NYC is
a place of aspiration and creation so art is an integral part of the fabric
of the city. It’s a natural that the MTA should lead the country and the
world in installing and maintaining art in the transportation system.
Q: Why did you title this piece “Losing My Marbles”? Was there a
specific message you wanted to convey to your audience? Does it have
any significance or deeper meaning behind it?
A: I wanted to create a place of movement and joy. Having grown up
riding the subway and knowing how close and dreary the experience
could be my goal was to open the space and bring color and light.
Pictures of “Losing My Marbles”
