Video of the Day: The Restored Masstransiscope

The MTA may soon be adding digital advertising to the subways that will be very similar to Bill Brand’s Masstransiscope. What's that, you say? The Creative Time-supported project "was installed in the abandoned Myrtle Avenue subway station in Brooklyn, New York in September 1980. It has been seen by millions of commuters for over twenty-five years. The 228 hand-painted panels are viewed through a series of vertical slits set into a specially constructed housing. The piece works on the principle of the Zoetrope, a 19th century optical toy." Below is a video with plenty of news clips when the piece was first released, and you can find more info here.

Some may be noticing it for the first time, as it was just newly restored after 28 years on the B and Q trains from Dekalb Ave. into Manhattan. Brand worked at the restoration with the cooperation of the MTA Arts for Transit. Makes the commute a little bit more enjoyable, doesn't it?

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By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on November 19, 2008 5:05 PM

Comments [rss]

BrooklynSteve

Oh you poor Johnny-come-latelys to Brooklyn. I remember when this first went up at that station. I was all of 14 years old. How time flies. It was so sad when vandals got down there and started tagging it up. At first the graffiti was removed but eventually it was completely obscured by tags. I wonder how long before it's tagged up again.

As for those who didn't know about the Myrtle station on that line, it was abandoned after trains got longer with more cars. They weren't able to overcome hurdles posed at that location when station platforms were extended. Problems with the incline to the bridge I think brought it too close to the street surface.

Kyle T

Holy Graffiti on the subway! And just what was in that paper bag the man was holding near his baby during the last interview segment!?

Think2wice

@herfreshness

um...what abandoned myrtle station...?

This one.

RevWaldo

Where this could turn ugly -

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tunnel+advertising&search_type=

But, hey, if it helps with the budget gap...

semperThou

rant retracted. apologies

PhotoR

thank you Rfive

Rfive

semperthou and nyctini, creativetime has nothing to do with mta funds. get your facts straight before spewing ignorance.

amethystdeceiver

man, people in the 80's sounded like retards...

Nyctini11

Semperthou, No, I'll do it for you! ARE U F'ING KIDDING ME MTA???????

Honestly, NY'ers who are valid fare paying riders should really be allowed to have some vote on how these people are spending or more obviously WASTING our money.

mikechan007

im now 25 years old. ive seen this a few times when i was a kid traveling from brooklyn to the Manhattan. but NEVER knew what it was, i thought it was just my imagination. Thank you for solving one of my life long questions and proving to my parents im not insane.

semperThou

Do I really need to make the obvious comment about potential $3 single-rides, $100 month passes, lay-offs, route cuts, pull backs on repairs, et al.?

"Hey, but the lights are really sparkly!"