Yayoi Kusama and Kiki Smith Complete Murals for New Manhattan Station
Renowned artists Yayoi Kusama and Kiki Smith have recently completed a series of murals at the Grand Central Madison station in Manhattan. This new station, part of an $11 billion initiative linking the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Terminal, marks the largest railway terminal construction in the U.S. since the 1950s. Smith's contribution features five intricate mosaic murals, while Kusama's centerpiece, an expansive 80-square-meter mosaic titled "A Message of Love, Directly from My Heart Unto the Universe," showcases her artistic flair. The facility is set to debut by the end of December 2022, promising a range of artistic events.
Key facts
- Murals by Yayoi Kusama and Kiki Smith for Grand Central Madison station are completed.
- The station is part of an $11 billion project linking Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Terminal.
- It is the largest new railway station built in the US since the 1950s.
- Kiki Smith created five mosaic murals: River Light, The Water's Way, The Presence, The Spring, and The Sound.
- All of Smith's murals were completed in 2022 and depict NYC and Long Island landscapes.
- Yayoi Kusama's mural is titled A Message of Love, Directly from My Heart Unto the Universe, measuring over 80 sq m.
- Kusama's mural includes her signature symbols like stylized suns and smiley faces.
- The station opening is expected by the end of December 2022.
- Future art programming includes rotating photo exhibitions by MTA Arts & Design and International Center of Photography.
- Digital art, poetry on LED screens, and live performances are also planned.
Entities
Artists
- Yayoi Kusama
- Kiki Smith
Institutions
- MTA Arts & Design
- International Center of Photography
- Long Island Rail Road
- Grand Central Terminal
Locations
- Manhattan
- New York City
- New York
- United States
- Japan
- Grand Central Madison
- Long Island