5. Max Neuhaus’s Times Square (1977)

Hidden public art: Max Neuhaus’s Times Square (1977)

Now in its 45th year, Max Neuhaus’s sound installation Times Square (1977) is hidden under the subway grates of the pedestrian island on Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets. Above the noise and clamor of Times Square, visitors may notice the sound of a low drone and buzzing bass contrasting with the noise pollution of the busy center. The installation is purposely concealed to reward observant listeners, without a sign or marker alerting passersby to its existence. Unfortunately, this unique feature has its drawbacks  â€” some tourists have mistaken the noise for a stalled train or detonating bomb!

After the soundscape’s initial installation from 1977 to 1992, it became permanent in 2002 with a grant from the Dia Foundation. It now operates 24/7, emitting an eerie hum that counteracts the sensory overload of the square. The effect is disorientating, setting listeners at odds with the overwhelming hustle and bustle of the city. Tourists during rush hour react with surprise to the unexpected noise, while late-night visitors can hear the sound buzzing in the silent square. During Times Square’s seedier era in the 1970s, before it became the tourist trap we know today, the soundscape would have been even more startling to unsuspecting visitors.