In the bustling city of New York, where the subway is as iconic as the skyline, one artist has found a unique way to pay homage to the city’s transit system. Everett McMahan (IG @everettttttttttttttttttt), a creative mind with a penchant for recycling, has crafted a remarkable map of the New York subway system using nothing but discarded Metro cards.
McMahan’s journey began with a simple email to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), seeking permission to use their Metro cards for his art project. When the MTA turned him away, he took matters into his own hands. Venturing into subway stations, he collected abandoned Metro cards and free subway maps, bringing his vision to life with resources that were readily available and, most importantly, free.
Back in his studio, McMahan embarked on the meticulous process of transforming these discarded items into art. He started by washing the Metro cards to ensure they were clean and suitable for use. Then, he carefully cut out the boroughs from the subway maps using scissors, a task that proved to be challenging. “Staten Island and the Bronx turned out a little wonky, like a high school art project,” McMahan admits, highlighting the initial hurdles he faced.
Determined to achieve a more polished look, McMahan invested in a Fiskars slicer to standardize the squares and subway lines. This tool allowed him to create uniform pieces, which he then painstakingly arranged into a mosaic that represented the intricate layout of the subway system. “You just have to slice this 500,000 times over and over again,” he explains, underscoring the dedication and patience required for the project.
McMahan’s focus and attention to detail, aided by his prescribed focus medication, resulted in a visually striking mosaic. He used a stencil to accurately place the subway lines on the borough cutouts, ensuring that the map was not only beautiful but also a faithful representation of the actual subway system.
In Brooklyn, McMahan experimented with a new technique, placing yellow squares behind the subway lines. However, he ultimately decided to stick with the Manhattan style for a more cohesive look. The final product is a testament to his artistic vision and commitment to recycling.
The frame for his masterpiece was yet another serendipitous find. McMahan discovered it on the street in East Village, a testament to the adage that one person’s trash is another’s treasure. “Any New Yorker knows a really good pastime is to hang outside rich NYU kids’ dorms and just get the stuff that they throw away,” he quips.
Everett McMahan’s subway map is more than just an art piece; it’s a statement about sustainability, creativity, and the spirit of New York City. By using 100% recycled materials, he not only showcases his artistic talent but also sends a powerful message about the importance of repurposing and reimagining what others might consider waste. In a city that never sleeps, McMahan’s map is a reminder that beauty and inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places.