Artwork: "Life Underground" (Tom Otterness)
www.nycsubway.org
Home > Line By Line Guide > Subway Art Guide

Artwork: "Life Underground" (Tom Otterness)

Location: 14th Street, 8th Avenue (IND 8th Avenue Line)
Installation Year: 2000
Notes:

An installation by artist Tom Otterness called Life Underground features bronze sculptures emerging from the floors and playing along the ceilings of the station.

Tom Otterness's "Life Underground" (at 14th Street and 8th Avenue) has emerged as one of the most popular pieces of subway art in the system. Regular riders doubtless noticed that installation took several years, owing to long disputes with bureaucrats. Otterness now creates exclusively public works and like other public artists -- Christo and Jeanne-Claude come to mind -- he considers dickering with officials part of the creative process. In the meantime, parts of this installation appeared all over town, from Central Park to Battery Park City to Downtown Brooklyn and Pratt Institute. The entire installation, as Otterness conceived it, is now in place. (Thanks to Harry Matthews.)


(image 136604) (268k, 687x1023)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Wilfredo Castillo
Date: 3/27/2012
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 3 / 3255


(image 136605) (319k, 1024x687)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Wilfredo Castillo
Date: 3/27/2012
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 3751


(image 136606) (254k, 1024x687)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Wilfredo Castillo
Date: 3/27/2012
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 3360


(image 136607) (218k, 687x1023)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Wilfredo Castillo
Date: 3/27/2012
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 3 / 3271


(image 136608) (248k, 1024x687)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Wilfredo Castillo
Date: 3/27/2012
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 3460


(image 136609) (240k, 1024x687)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Wilfredo Castillo
Date: 3/27/2012
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 3513


(image 136610) (272k, 1024x687)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Wilfredo Castillo
Date: 3/27/2012
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 3 / 4070


(image 136611) (301k, 1024x687)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Wilfredo Castillo
Date: 3/27/2012
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 3918


(image 136612) (288k, 687x1023)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Wilfredo Castillo
Date: 3/27/2012
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 3797


(image 136613) (355k, 1024x687)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Wilfredo Castillo
Date: 3/27/2012
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 3935


(image 136614) (230k, 1024x687)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Wilfredo Castillo
Date: 3/27/2012
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 3666


(image 109309) (165k, 930x618)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Peter Ehrlich
Date: 1/6/2010
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 4692


(image 98719) (265k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Roberto C. Tobar
Date: 4/1/2009
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 3 / 4891


(image 98721) (213k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Roberto C. Tobar
Date: 4/1/2009
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 4377


(image 79613) (286k, 768x1024)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Michael Romero
Date: 1/5/2008
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 6382


(image 79614) (299k, 768x1024)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Michael Romero
Date: 1/5/2008
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 6043


(image 73823) (146k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Jorge Catayi
Date: 9/10/2007
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 4 / 7792


(image 39989) (158k, 909x682)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Robbie Rosenfeld
Date: 7/14/2005
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 3 / 12495


(image 35948) (205k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 7343


(image 35949) (176k, 790x1047)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 4 / 5970


(image 35950) (213k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 3 / 5594


(image 35951) (153k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 5086


(image 35952) (151k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 6030


(image 35954) (174k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 5990


(image 35955) (196k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 7117


(image 35956) (177k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 4979


(image 35957) (169k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 3 / 7135


(image 35959) (191k, 790x1047)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 8654


(image 35960) (184k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 5307


(image 35961) (208k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 8728


(image 35962) (218k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 3 / 8906


(image 35963) (208k, 790x1047)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 6367


(image 35964) (242k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 6667


(image 36168) (156k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue Line
Location: 14th Street
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 7290


(image 35936) (309k, 790x1047)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 9420


(image 35937) (164k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 6651


(image 35938) (221k, 790x1047)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 5023


(image 35939) (251k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 5341


(image 35940) (170k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 5582


(image 35941) (170k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 5817


(image 35942) (146k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 6780


(image 35943) (146k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 3 / 6346


(image 35944) (139k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 5070


(image 35945) (164k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 3 / 7295


(image 35946) (179k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 5730


(image 35947) (175k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 7732


(image 36164) (152k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 3 / 7254


(image 36166) (151k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 5 / 6101


(image 36167) (145k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Richard Panse
Date: 12/15/2004
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Viewed (this week/total): 3 / 7342


(image 32287) (172k, 720x478)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: BMT Canarsie Line
Location: 8th Avenue
Photo by: Peter Ehrlich
Date: 12/28/2003
Artwork: Life Underground, Tom Otterness, 2000
Notes: With R7A 1575 on fantrip
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 5296


More Images: 1-50 51-82



https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/artwork_show
This site is not affiliated with any transit agency or provider.