Subway Map Floating on a NY Sidewalk Part 4 [The Meaning Behind the Work, Another Sponsor, and Even More Art!]

In Subway Map Floating on a NY Sidewalk, the artist Francoise Schein states that her premise in creating the work was to make a declaration of human rights. Most of the artist's work contains the ideas of human rights embedded in the work. It is difficult to see the underlying human rights premise in the Subway Map, but the "plaque" seems to make it obvious:

(This was taken by me)

According to the "plaque", creating this work inspired Schien to incorporate the theme of universal human rights in her future works, specifically five subway stations around the world. I came up with a good explanation for the supposedly "invisible" human rights concept embedded in the work.

To make this explanation, I had to think of the lines and stations as more than just a subway map. I saw the stations as individual people that differ in race, creed and origin, just like the unique character of each of NYC's subway stations. However, the subway lines running between the stations are supposed to represent the similarities between all people and the fact that we are all part of the human race. Because of the fact that we are all human, we all deserve to have human rights. This is my interpretation of the message of the Subway Map. Because, of course, each person can interpret the work differently, many different theories and explanations of Schein's message of human rights abound.

Schein is the founder of the INSCRIRE organization, which promotes universal human rights through artwork. The plaque does not mention the organization, but according to the Inscrire website, it seems she created the work in order to draw inspiration from it in creating future works. Those future works include subway stations in various cities around the world, such as Stockholm and Berlin, and the Concorde station in Paris. This station supposedly has the entire text of the Declaration of Human Rights on the walls. (Inscrire)

I forgot to mention that the work is also sponsored by Goldman Properties, which maintains the work. 

Tony Goldman, the founder of Goldman Properties, commissioned and funded the work. (Schein) Goldman Properties is actually based at the building behind of the work, at 110 Greene St! There are also some other public works based here, and the building itself is loaded with art. Subway Map is just one of a large collection of pieces based at 110 Greene St. A sculpture by Kenitchi Hiratsuka is based here which towers over the Subway Map. The art inside the building includes works by various artists such as Logan Hicks, Henry Chalfant, and Martha Cooper. (SoHo Building)

The presence of these artworks help to solidify SoHo's reputation as a center for not only resident artists, but also their public art.

Works Cited

"Art." The SoHo Building. The Soho Building, 2014. Web. 11 Aug. 2014.

Schein, Francoise. "Inscrire." INSCRIRE: TO WRITE THE HUMAN RIGHTS. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Aug. 2014.

Schein, Francoise. "Subway Map Floating on a NY Sidewalk." (2013): n. pag. 2 June 2010. Web. 11 Aug. 2014.