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{{short description|Art installation in Times Square}}
{{Infobox artwork
{{Infobox artwork
| title = Times Square
| title = Times Square
⚫
| wikidata =
| painting_alignment = right
⚫
| image = File:Times Square 4.jpg
⚫
| wikidata =
⚫
| image_upright = 1
⚫
| image = File:Times Square 4.jpg
⚫
| alt = Times square with people sitting on a bench and a costumed character
⚫
| image_upright =
⚫
| caption = The location in [[Times Square]] where the [[sound art]] installation emanates
⚫
| alt = Times square with people sitting on a bench and a costumed character taking their character head off.
⚫
| artist = [[Max Neuhaus]]
⚫
| caption = The location in [[Times Square]] where the [[sound art]] installation emanates.
| year = {{start date|1977}}, 1992 removed, 2002 reinstalled
⚫
| artist = [[Max Neuhaus]]
| year = {{start date|1977}}, 1992 removed, 2002 reinstalled
| completion_date = <!-- For a more specific date (post-1583): {{start date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} -->
⚫
| catalogue =
| completion_date = <!-- For a more specific date (post-1583): {{start date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} -->
⚫
| medium = [[Sound art]]
⚫
| catalogue =
⚫
| movement =
⚫
| medium = [[Sound Art]]
| designation =
⚫
| movement =
| designation =
| condition =
⚫
| museum = [[Dia Art Foundation]]
| condition =
⚫
| city = [[New York City]], New York
⚫
| museum = [[Dia Art Foundation]]
⚫
| coordinates = {{coord|40.7585|-73.9853|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
⚫
| city = [[New York City]], [[New York]]
⚫
| owner = [[Dia Art Foundation]]
⚫
| coordinates = {{coord|40.758542|-73.985285|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
⚫
| accession = 2003.179
⚫
| owner = [[Dia Art Foundation]]
⚫
| preceded_by = <!-- preceding work by the same artist -->
⚫
| accession = 2003.179
| preceded_by = <!-- preceding work by the same artist -->
| followed_by = <!-- next work by the same artist -->
⚫
| module =
⚫
| followed_by = <!-- next work by the same artist -->
⚫
| website = {{URL|https://www.diaart.org/visit/visit-our-locations-sites/max-neuhaus-times-square}}
⚫
| module =
⚫
| website = {{URL|https://www.diaart.org/visit/visit-our-locations-sites/max-neuhaus-times-square}}
}}
}}


'''''Times Square''''', often referred to as '''''the hum'''''<ref name="HIDDEN">Meier, Allison. [https://hyperallergic.com/298871/a-hidden-times-square-sound-installation-returns-to-full-hum/ A Hidden Times Square Sound Installation Returns to Full Hum].[[Hyperallergic]] May 19, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2020.</ref> or the '''''Times Square Hum''''',<ref name="THREE">Meier, Allison. [https://hyperallergic.com/225564/three-important-manhattan-public-artworks-that-often-go-overlooked/ Three Important Manhattan Public Artworks That Often Go Overlooked]. [[Hyperallergic]]. August 4, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2020.</ref> is a permanent [[sound art]] installation created by [[Max Neuhaus]] in [[Times Square]]. Originally installed in 1977, it was removed in 1992 and reinstalled in 2002. It is maintained by the [[Dia Art Foundation]] who consider it one of their [[List of Dia Art Foundation locations and sites|11 locations and sites]] they manage.
'''''Times Square''''', often referred to as '''''the hum'''''<ref name="HIDDEN">Meier, Allison. [https://hyperallergic.com/298871/a-hidden-times-square-sound-installation-returns-to-full-hum/ A Hidden Times Square Sound Installation Returns to Full Hum]. [[Hyperallergic]]. May 19, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2020.</ref> or the '''''Times Square Hum''''',<ref name="THREE">Meier, Allison. [https://hyperallergic.com/225564/three-important-manhattan-public-artworks-that-often-go-overlooked/ Three Important Manhattan Public Artworks That Often Go Overlooked]. [[Hyperallergic]]. August 4, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2020.</ref> is a permanent [[sound art]] installation created by [[Max Neuhaus]] in [[Times Square]] in [[New York City]]. Originally installed in 1977, it was removed in 1992 and reinstalled in 2002. It is maintained by the [[Dia Art Foundation]], who consider it one of the [[List of Dia Art Foundation locations and sites|twelve locations and sites]] they manage.


== History ==
== History ==
⚫
[[Max Neuhaus]] was a contemporary music maker and artist credited with being the first person to use sound as their primary [[medium (art)|medium]] in [[contemporary art]].<ref name="TSA"/> ''Times Square'' was one of a grouping of [[sound art]] pieces he created throughout the 1970s in public places in New York City. Other works from the same time period include ''Walkthrough'', in what is now [[Jay Street–MetroTech station]], and ''A New Work (Underground)'' in the [[Museum of Modern Art]]'s garden.<ref name="HIDDEN"/> The work to create ''Times Square'' specifically began when Neuhaus entered negotiations with the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] (MTA) and [[Consolidated Edison]] (ConEd) in 1973 about installing the piece. These negotiations stretched over four years largely due to the MTA's refusal to collaborate with a private individual. Neuhaus had to form a non-profit, which he named "Hybrid Energies for Acoustic Resources" (HEAR), before the state agency would begin discussions.<ref name="BROCHURE">[https://www.diaart.org/media/_file/webpdfs/neuhaus-brochure-3-to-printer.pdf Max Neuhaus; Times Square, 1977]. [[Dia Art Foundation]]. Retrieved May 20, 2020.</ref>
⚫
[[File:New York, New York - 1977 (17).jpg|thumb|300px|right|alt=A view of Times Square in 1977 showing wast expanses of street, people crossign them in many locations and various billboards scattered on the buildings.|An image of [[Times Square]] in 1977, the year ''Times Square'' was installed.]]


⚫
Once the negotiations were completed, Neuhaus constructed homemade [[Programmable sound generator| electronic sound generators]] to be used specifically for this piece. He opened the street grate on a [[pedestrian island]] between [[Broadway (Manhattan)|Broadway]] and [[Seventh Avenue (Manhattan)|Seventh Avenue]], between 45th and 46th Streets, and climbed down into a steam escape vent shaft that is visible through the grate. Here he installed both the generator and a loudspeaker.<ref name="BROCHURE"/> From the beginning, powering the work proved troublesome as the voltage internal to the [[New York City Subway|subway system]] was too high to power the piece, and ConEd refused to join a line to MTA property. To rectify this, Neuhaus hired an independent maintenance company to connect the piece to a nearby street lamp through an improvised connection.<ref name="BROCHURE"/>
⚫
[[Max Neuhaus]] was a contemporary music maker and artist credited with being the first person to use sound as their primary [[medium (art)|medium]].<ref name="TSA"/> ''Times Square'' was one of a grouping of [[sound art]] pieces created by Neuhaus through out the 70's in public places in New York City. Other works from the same time period include ''Walkthrough'', in what is now [[Jay Street–MetroTech station]], and ''A New Work (Underground)'' in the [[Museum of Modern Art]]'s garden.<ref name="HIDDEN"/> The work to realize ''Times Square'' specifically began when Neuhaus entered negations with the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] (MTA) and [[Consolidated Edison]] (ConEd) in 1973 about installing the piece. These negations stretched over four years largely due to the MTA's refusal to collaborate with a private individual. Neuhaus had to form a non-profit, he named "Hybrid Energies for Acoustic Resources" (HEAR), before for the state agency would begin discussions.<ref name="BROCHURE">[https://www.diaart.org/media/_file/webpdfs/neuhaus-brochure-3-to-printer.pdf Max Neuhaus; Times Square, 1977]. [[Dia Art Foundation]]. Retrieved May 20, 2020.</ref>


⚫
[[File:New York, New York - 1977 (17).jpg|thumb|left|alt=A view of Times Square in 1977 showing vast expanses of street, people crossing them in many locations and various billboards scattered on the buildings.|An image of [[Times Square]] in 1977, the year ''Times Square'' was first installed]]
⚫
Once the negations were completed Neuhaus constructed homemade [[Programmable sound generator| electronic sound generators]] to be used specifically for this piece. He opened the street grate on a [[pedestrian island]] between [[Broadway (Manhattan)|Broadway]] and [[Seventh Avenue (Manhattan)|Seventh Avenue]], between 45th and 46th Streets, and climbed down into a steam escape vent shaft which is visible through the grate. Here he installed both the generator and a loudspeaker.<ref name="BROCHURE"/> From the begining, powering the work proved troublesome as the voltage internal to the subway system was too high to power the piece and ConEd refused to join a line to MTA property. To rectify this, Neuhaus hired an independent maintenance company to connect the piece to a near by street lamp through an improvised connection.<ref name="BROCHURE"/>


From 1977 through the early 90's ''Times Square'' continued to play, but supplying power was an ongoing problem.<ref name="BROCHURE"/> Neuhaus began getting more commissions in Europe and moved abroad, so keeping up with the maintenance on the piece became impossible.<ref name="MTA"/><ref name="BROCHURE"/> Due to this, the piece was disconnected in 1992 but Neuhaus' reputation continued to grow.<ref name="BROCHURE"/> In 2002 [[Christine Burgin]], a New York City gallery owner, conceived of bringing ''Times Square'' back. By working with Neuhaus, the MTA, the Times Square Business Improvement District, and the [[Dia Art Foundation]], Burgin managed to relaunch the piece.<ref name="BROCHURE"/><ref name="GOTHAMIST"/> The main difference between in the new incarnations of the work is a higher volume to overcome the increase in noise in Times Square.<ref name="BROCHURE"/> Subsequently Neuhaus donated ''Times Square'' to the Dia Art Foundation who currently maintain the piece.<ref name="BROCHURE"/>
From 1977 through the early 1990s, ''Times Square'' continued to play, but supplying power was an ongoing problem.<ref name="BROCHURE"/> Neuhaus began getting more commissions in Europe and moved abroad, so keeping up with the maintenance on the piece became impossible.<ref name="MTA"/><ref name="BROCHURE"/> For this reason, the piece was disconnected in 1992, but Neuhaus's reputation continued to grow.<ref name="BROCHURE"/> In 2002, [[Christine Burgin]], a New York City gallery owner, conceived of bringing ''Times Square'' back. By working with Neuhaus, the MTA, the Times Square Business Improvement District, and the [[Dia Art Foundation]], Burgin managed to relaunch the piece.<ref name="BROCHURE"/><ref name="GOTHAMIST"/> The main difference in the new incarnations of the work is a higher volume to overcome the increase in noise in Times Square.<ref name="BROCHURE"/> Subsequently Neuhaus donated ''Times Square'' to the Dia Art Foundation, who currently maintain the piece.<ref name="BROCHURE"/>


Between the 2002 relaunch and Neuhaus' death in 2009,<ref name="TSA"/> Neuhaus built additional fail-safe measures into the work so that it would not turn off accidentally. He also watched the area over webcam and worked to discourage [[buskers]] as he was worried their sounds would interfere with ''Times Square''.<ref name="BROCHURE"/>
Between the 2002 relaunch and Neuhaus's death in 2009,<ref name="TSA"/> Neuhaus built additional fail-safe measures into the work so that it would not turn off accidentally. He also watched the area over webcam and worked to discourage [[street performers]] as he was worried their sounds would interfere with ''Times Square''.<ref name="BROCHURE"/>


For about a year between 2015 and 2016, due to the multi-year [[Times Square#Pedestrian plaza|pedestrianization of Times Square]] construction, ''Times Square'' was inaccessible but, according to the director of communications at the Dia Art Foundation, was never turned off.<ref name="HIDDEN"/> During this construction granite seating was added next to the grate ''Times Square'' emanates from.<ref name="HIDDEN"/> Also in 2016 New York introduced "Designated Activity Zones" through out Times Square where buskers and costumed characters are allowed to [[Begging|panhandle]] for tips.<ref>[https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/06/09/times-square-color-coded-zones/ New Zones Painted In Times Square To Regulate Costumed Characters]. [[WCBS-TV]]. June 9, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2020.</ref> One of these zones was marked out with teal paint next to the ''Times Square'' grate as well.<ref>Van Dusen, Caitlin. [http://citylore-senseandthecity.blogspot.com/2017/08/sound-secret-sound-installation-in.html SOUND: Secret sound installation in a Times Square sidewalk]. Sense & the City. August 2, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2020.</ref>
For about a year between 2015 and 2016, due to the multi-year [[Times Square#Pedestrian plaza|pedestrianization of Times Square]] construction, ''Times Square'' was inaccessible but, according to the director of communications at the Dia Art Foundation, was never turned off.<ref name="HIDDEN"/> During this construction granite seating was added next to the grate ''Times Square'' emanates from.<ref name="HIDDEN"/> Also in 2016 New York introduced "Designated Activity Zones" throughout Times Square where street musicians and costumed characters are allowed to perform for tips.<ref>[https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/06/09/times-square-color-coded-zones/ New Zones Painted In Times Square To Regulate Costumed Characters]. [[WCBS-TV]]. June 9, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2020.</ref> One of these zones was marked out with teal paint next to the ''Times Square'' grate as well.<ref>Van Dusen, Caitlin. [http://citylore-senseandthecity.blogspot.com/2017/08/sound-secret-sound-installation-in.html SOUND: Secret sound installation in a Times Square sidewalk]. Sense & the City. August 2, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2020.</ref>


''Times Square'' remains the only public installation of a work by Neuhaus in the United States,<ref name="TSA">[http://arts.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-arts/artists/max-neuhaus-/index.aspx Max Neuhaus]. [[Times Square Arts]]. Retrieved May 20, 2020.</ref> and is active and can be heard 24 hours a day, seven days a week.<ref name="GOTHAMIST">Carlson, Jen. [https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/visit-the-eerie-circa-1970s-sound-installation-in-times-square Visit The Eerie Circa-1970s Sound Installation In Times Square]. [[Gothamist]]. October 31, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2020.</ref>
''Times Square'' remains the only public installation of a work by Neuhaus in the United States,<ref name="TSA">[http://arts.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-arts/artists/max-neuhaus-/index.aspx Max Neuhaus]. [[Times Square Arts]]. Retrieved May 20, 2020.</ref> and is active and can be heard 24 hours a day, seven days a week.<ref name="GOTHAMIST">Carlson, Jen. [https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/visit-the-eerie-circa-1970s-sound-installation-in-times-square Visit The Eerie Circa-1970s Sound Installation In Times Square]. [[Gothamist]]. October 31, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2020.</ref>


==Design ==
==Design ==
[[File:Times Square by Max Neuhaus 1.jpg|thumb|alt=close up view of subway grating with the photographer's shows in view for scale.|The subway grate where "Times Square" emanates.]]
⚫
''Times Square'' is located on the north side of what was once a triangular pedestrian island, but is now a pedestrian plaza, created by the intersection of [[Broadway (Manhattan)|Broadway]] and [[Seventh Avenue (Manhattan)|Seventh Avenue]], between 45th and 46th Streets, in [[Times Square]].<ref name="BROCHURE"/><ref name="GOTHAMIST"/> As a piece of sound art, there is very little visually to the piece. The sound emanates from a grate in the ground and can be pinpointed to a visible steam escape vent when peering into the grate.<ref name="BROCHURE"/> There is no signage or marking to denote the piece as a work of art per Neuhaus's request.<ref name="BROCHURE"/> The surrounding area has changed drastically from when the work was first installed in 1977 and now. Neuhaus described the area in 1977 saying, “The aural and visual environment is rich and complex. It includes large billboards, moving neon signs, office buildings, hotels, theaters, porno centers and electronic game emporiums. Its population is equally diverse, including tourists, theatregoers, commuters, pimps, shoppers, hucksters and office workers."<ref name="BROCHURE"/> As of 2020 the area is largely a tourist area populated with "[[Desnuda]]s" and costumed characters [[Begging|panhandling]] for tips.<ref name="HIDDEN"/>


⚫
''Times Square'' is located in [[Times Square]], on the north side of what was once a triangular pedestrian island, but is now a pedestrian plaza, created by the intersection of [[Broadway (Manhattan)|Broadway]] and [[Seventh Avenue (Manhattan)|Seventh Avenue]], between 45th and 46th Streets.<ref name="BROCHURE"/><ref name="GOTHAMIST"/> There is no signage or marking to denote the piece as a work of art per Neuhaus's request.<ref name="BROCHURE"/> The sound simply emanates from a grate over a steam vent.<ref name="BROCHURE"/> Neuhaus stated it is intended for the sound to be "plausible", dismissed as an "unusual machinery sound from below ground"<ref name="BROCHURE"/> and to be overlooked repeatedly until it is discovered by the viewer in a serendipitous way.<ref name="HIDDEN"/>
⚫
The sound itself is described by Neuhaus as "resembling after ring of large bells,"<ref name="BROCHURE"/> but has also been described as a "deep and slightly pulsating drone" by Dia,<ref name="BROCHURE"/> "a rich harmonic sound texture" by the MTA,<ref name="MTA">[http://web.mta.info/mta/aft/permanentart/permart.html?agency=nyct&line=P&artist=1&station=3 Times Square-46th Street]. [[MTA Arts & Design]]. Retrieved May, 19 2020.</ref> and "a deeply resonant and mildly undulating drone, its tone suggestive of low-pitched chimes or church bells," by ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref name="GOTHAMIST"/> while it is a singular sound, Dia notes that "The noise changes in pitch, timbre, and tone as passersby move their physical positions."<ref name="BROCHURE"/>


⚫
The sound itself is described by Neuhaus as "resembling the after ring of large bells,"<ref name="BROCHURE"/> but has also been described as a "deep and slightly pulsating drone" by Dia,<ref name="BROCHURE"/> "a rich harmonic sound texture" by the MTA,<ref name="MTA">[http://web.mta.info/mta/aft/permanentart/permart.html?agency=nyct&line=P&artist=1&station=3 Times Square-46th Street]. [[MTA Arts & Design]]. Retrieved May, 19 2020.</ref> and "a deeply resonant and mildly undulating drone, its tone suggestive of low-pitched chimes or church bells," by ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref name="GOTHAMIST"/> While it is a singular wavelength, Dia notes that the perceived sound changes in "pitch, timbre, and tone relative to human movement.<ref name="BROCHURE"/>
⚫
''Times Square'' is invisible and there are no markings or signs denoting its presence.<ref name="MTA"/> This is as Neuhaus intended, wanting visitors to stumble upon the work and have it blend into the soundscape of Times Square to a point where it does not appear to be deliberately made.<ref name="HIDDEN"/><ref name="MTA"/> Neuhaus states it is intended for the sound to be "plausible", dismissed as an "unusual machinery sound from below ground"<ref name="BROCHURE"/> and to be overlooked repeatedly until it is discovered by the viewer in a serendipitous way.<ref name="HIDDEN"/>

⚫
The surrounding area has changed drastically since the work was first installed in 1977. Neuhaus described the area in 1977 saying, "The aural and visual environment is rich and complex. It includes large billboards, moving neon signs, office buildings, hotels, theaters, porno centers and electronic game emporiums. Its population is equally diverse, including tourists, theatregoers, commuters, pimps, shoppers, hucksters and office workers."<ref name="BROCHURE"/> As of 2020 the area is largely a tourist area populated with "[[desnuda]]s" and costumed characters performing for tips.<ref name="HIDDEN"/>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 54: Line 56:


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Times Square (Max Neuhaus)}}
* [http://arts.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-arts/artists/max-neuhaus-/index.aspx Times Square Arts page on the artwork]
* [http://arts.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-arts/artists/max-neuhaus-/index.aspx Times Square Arts page on the artwork]
* [http://web.mta.info/mta/aft/permanentart/permart.html?agency=nyct&line=P&artist=1&station=3 MTA Arts & Design page on the artwork]
* [http://web.mta.info/mta/aft/permanentart/permart.html?agency=nyct&line=P&artist=1&station=3 MTA Arts & Design page on the artwork]
* [https://www.diaart.org/collection/collection/neuhaus-max-times-square-19772002-2003-179/ Dia artwork page]
* [https://www.diaart.org/collection/collection/neuhaus-max-times-square-19772002-2003-179/ Dia artwork page]


{{Times Square}}
{{Dia Art Foundation}}
{{Public art in Manhattan}}


[[Category:Times Square]]
<!--- Categories --->
[[Category:Public art in New York City]]
[[Category:Sound sculptures]]
[[Category:1977 works]]

Revision as of 03:41, 2 November 2023

Times Square
Times square with people sitting on a bench and a costumed character
The location in Times Square where the sound art installation emanates
ArtistMax Neuhaus
Year1977 (1977), 1992 removed, 2002 reinstalled
MediumSound art
LocationDia Art Foundation, New York City, New York
Coordinates40°45′31″N 73°59′07″W / 40.7585°N 73.9853°W / 40.7585; -73.9853
OwnerDia Art Foundation
Accession2003.179
Websitewww.diaart.org/visit/visit-our-locations-sites/max-neuhaus-times-square

Times Square, often referred to as the hum[1] or the Times Square Hum,[2] is a permanent sound art installation created by Max Neuhaus in Times Square in New York City. Originally installed in 1977, it was removed in 1992 and reinstalled in 2002. It is maintained by the Dia Art Foundation, who consider it one of the twelve locations and sites they manage.

History

Max Neuhaus was a contemporary music maker and artist credited with being the first person to use sound as their primary medium in contemporary art.[3] Times Square was one of a grouping of sound art pieces he created throughout the 1970s in public places in New York City. Other works from the same time period include Walkthrough, in what is now Jay Street–MetroTech station, and A New Work (Underground) in the Museum of Modern Art's garden.[1] The work to create Times Square specifically began when Neuhaus entered negotiations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Consolidated Edison (ConEd) in 1973 about installing the piece. These negotiations stretched over four years largely due to the MTA's refusal to collaborate with a private individual. Neuhaus had to form a non-profit, which he named "Hybrid Energies for Acoustic Resources" (HEAR), before the state agency would begin discussions.[4]

Once the negotiations were completed, Neuhaus constructed homemade electronic sound generators to be used specifically for this piece. He opened the street grate on a pedestrian island between Broadway and Seventh Avenue, between 45th and 46th Streets, and climbed down into a steam escape vent shaft that is visible through the grate. Here he installed both the generator and a loudspeaker.[4] From the beginning, powering the work proved troublesome as the voltage internal to the subway system was too high to power the piece, and ConEd refused to join a line to MTA property. To rectify this, Neuhaus hired an independent maintenance company to connect the piece to a nearby street lamp through an improvised connection.[4]

A view of Times Square in 1977 showing vast expanses of street, people crossing them in many locations and various billboards scattered on the buildings.
An image of Times Square in 1977, the year Times Square was first installed

From 1977 through the early 1990s, Times Square continued to play, but supplying power was an ongoing problem.[4] Neuhaus began getting more commissions in Europe and moved abroad, so keeping up with the maintenance on the piece became impossible.[5][4] For this reason, the piece was disconnected in 1992, but Neuhaus's reputation continued to grow.[4] In 2002, Christine Burgin, a New York City gallery owner, conceived of bringing Times Square back. By working with Neuhaus, the MTA, the Times Square Business Improvement District, and the Dia Art Foundation, Burgin managed to relaunch the piece.[4][6] The main difference in the new incarnations of the work is a higher volume to overcome the increase in noise in Times Square.[4] Subsequently Neuhaus donated Times Square to the Dia Art Foundation, who currently maintain the piece.[4]

Between the 2002 relaunch and Neuhaus's death in 2009,[3] Neuhaus built additional fail-safe measures into the work so that it would not turn off accidentally. He also watched the area over webcam and worked to discourage street performers as he was worried their sounds would interfere with Times Square.[4]

For about a year between 2015 and 2016, due to the multi-year pedestrianization of Times Square construction, Times Square was inaccessible but, according to the director of communications at the Dia Art Foundation, was never turned off.[1] During this construction granite seating was added next to the grate Times Square emanates from.[1] Also in 2016 New York introduced "Designated Activity Zones" throughout Times Square where street musicians and costumed characters are allowed to perform for tips.[7] One of these zones was marked out with teal paint next to the Times Square grate as well.[8]

Times Square remains the only public installation of a work by Neuhaus in the United States,[3] and is active and can be heard 24 hours a day, seven days a week.[6]

Design

close up view of subway grating with the photographer's shows in view for scale.
The subway grate where "Times Square" emanates.

Times Square is located in Times Square, on the north side of what was once a triangular pedestrian island, but is now a pedestrian plaza, created by the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, between 45th and 46th Streets.[4][6] There is no signage or marking to denote the piece as a work of art per Neuhaus's request.[4] The sound simply emanates from a grate over a steam vent.[4] Neuhaus stated it is intended for the sound to be "plausible", dismissed as an "unusual machinery sound from below ground"[4] and to be overlooked repeatedly until it is discovered by the viewer in a serendipitous way.[1]

The sound itself is described by Neuhaus as "resembling the after ring of large bells,"[4] but has also been described as a "deep and slightly pulsating drone" by Dia,[4] "a rich harmonic sound texture" by the MTA,[5] and "a deeply resonant and mildly undulating drone, its tone suggestive of low-pitched chimes or church bells," by The New York Times.[6] While it is a singular wavelength, Dia notes that the perceived sound changes in "pitch, timbre, and tone relative to human movement.[4]

The surrounding area has changed drastically since the work was first installed in 1977. Neuhaus described the area in 1977 saying, "The aural and visual environment is rich and complex. It includes large billboards, moving neon signs, office buildings, hotels, theaters, porno centers and electronic game emporiums. Its population is equally diverse, including tourists, theatregoers, commuters, pimps, shoppers, hucksters and office workers."[4] As of 2020 the area is largely a tourist area populated with "desnudas" and costumed characters performing for tips.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Meier, Allison. A Hidden Times Square Sound Installation Returns to Full Hum. Hyperallergic. May 19, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  2. ^ Meier, Allison. Three Important Manhattan Public Artworks That Often Go Overlooked. Hyperallergic. August 4, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Max Neuhaus. Times Square Arts. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Max Neuhaus; Times Square, 1977. Dia Art Foundation. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Times Square-46th Street. MTA Arts & Design. Retrieved May, 19 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d Carlson, Jen. Visit The Eerie Circa-1970s Sound Installation In Times Square. Gothamist. October 31, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  7. ^ New Zones Painted In Times Square To Regulate Costumed Characters. WCBS-TV. June 9, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  8. ^ Van Dusen, Caitlin. SOUND: Secret sound installation in a Times Square sidewalk. Sense & the City. August 2, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
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