The Oculus, Church Street, Manhattan

by the grace of anonymous workers... (card #26)

I am going back in time. An image that has been a favorite of mine and is featured in my book New York New York. My publisher asked me to make sure my book has the architectural icons of NYC.

The Oculus is a transportation hub and has many stories. Architect Santiago Calatrava envisioned a bird that is about to take flight from the hands of a young boy. But to my friend Marilyn this structure symbolizes the victory of art over the power of real estate. Because on this spot a new tower could’ve been built. Instead, they only utilized space underground, not using the system of stacking available air rights, creating a pillar of office rental dollars. A 4-billion-dollar bird, built on the ashes of the old WTC, the most expensive train station in the world.

So I entered The Oculus on Church Street. I was blown away by the inside of her. A visual that almost begs to be captured but then I realized that it was impossible to add my personal visual signature on something this close to perfection. My picture would result in a Calatrava picture. Always. I stepped outside and took in the scenery with frustration. I saw people entering and exiting through the metal station doors. I noticed a long African American man who was laying rubber mats on the ground, in front of these doors. The smooth stone tiles at the entrance of the Oculus get slippery when it rains.

Why I love this image? Besides the visual beauty, it reminds me that NYC is this big machine that only runs by the grace of anonymous workers. Like this man who makes sure that we mortals can keep our feet on the ground, when we commute to work on a rainy day, despite the flaws of heavenly designs.

Love,  Richard