The F Line

This is the entrance to the the Subway station on 23rd and 6th, the F line. For two years, this was my train stop.

One of my first days in New York, I got out of the train at this station and was immediately struck by the feel of the place. It was raining that day, and there was water dripping everywhere. The paint was peeling off the concrete walls, and the flouresent lights were flickering and on the verge of shorting out.

I remember thinking how futile it must be to build and maintain something so big and complex under ground. It’s too volatile down there, too active. The water and the rust eat away at everything. There is also a smell of wetness. Not a terrible stench really, but a smell that reminds you that things are rotting away.

This was taken on a winter evening after work. It was shot from the middle of the stairs leading into the station.

I had to wait for the crowds to thin out so I could get the shot without blocking the stairway.

Posted: February 24th, 2008 | Author: admin | Filed under: Photos | View Comments

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