2. Parallel Incantations at Penn Station
The second piece in the inaugural Art and Amtrak series is Parallel Incantations, created by Dahlia Elsayed, an artist who often crafts text- and image-based work that draws from the internal and external experiences of place. Parallel Incantations is located in the former departure board and waiting area in Penn Station. The work uses the rectangular columns and the frieze above the main signage band in the waiting area to create a circular narrative.
Elsayed took from the art of ancient Egyptian temples and Islamic architecture to play with ideas of expansiveness, air, and ambient light. Panels draw further inspiration from artists like Hassan Fathy, who used adobe and traditional mud construction to minimize desert heat. The Egyptian Temple of Hatshepsut and motifs of the sun are reflected in the piece as well. The panels were previously used for advertisements and have been repurposed for the art program. Sharon Tepper says, “We’re using prime space in our station to showcase artists from the region.”