2. Penn Station’s Half Century at Moynihan Train Hall

New art at Moynihan Train Hall22 April 1924 and 7 August 1934, from Penn Station’s Half Century, 2020 Ceramic ink on glass. One of nine photographic panels from Penn Station’s Half Century Commissioned by Empire State Development in partnership with Public Art Fund for Moynihan Train Hall ©Stan Douglas. Courtesy of the artist, Victoria Miro and David Zwirner.

The opening of the new Moynihan Train Hall brings with it three new site-specific art installations that will be permanent features of the station. The works were created by artists Stan Douglas, artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset, and Kehinde Wiley. Commissioned through a partnership between Empire State Development and Public Art Fund, the pieces can be found in various spots throughout the station.

In the Ticketing Room adjacent to the Train Hall’s sunlight-filled main atrium, visitors will see Stan Douglas’ photo series, Penn Station’s Half Century. The installation consists of nine photographs that “capture the serendipity and poignancy of daily life.” Displayed on 22-foot-long wall panels around the room, Douglas’ photographs feature live actors in period costume set amongst digitally recreated interiors of the demolished Penn Station. The images pay tribute to McKim, Mead & White’s original station, which lasted from 1910 to 1963. The scenes depicted include a gathering of Communist party members in 1934, a soldier kissing his lover goodbye before being deployed during World War II, and other scenes from Penn Station’s history.