Library Way

New York, NY - 1998

This series of almost 100 bronze reliefs with images and text is set in the sidewalks of both sides of 41st Street and leads viewers toward the front door of the main New York Public Library.   Each of the bronze panels presents a quotation from world literature, chosen by librarians from throughout New York.

 I had one interesting discovery while watching how people interact with the project. With most public artwork, like murals and freestanding sculptures, as strangers view the work, they can reconfigure themselves so that they don’t violate each other's personal space. With the Library Way plaques however, because the text on each faces toward the Library,  and can only be read from one direction, strangers have to get close together to read them. When this happens they end up excusing themselves and talking to one another. Any project that brings total strangers together and gets them discussing literature is a big success in my book.