Chinese Zodiac at World Trade Center
Artist
Shih Pao Lin
Duration
Sep 23 - Oct 7, 2024
Location
World Trade Center
Format
Pop-up
My Role
Art Director
A remarkable group of large pop art sculptures appeared at the heart of the World Trade Center this week, captivating 200,000 passersby in New York City. These sculptures, inspired by the Chinese Zodiac and crafted from 30,000 stacked MetroCards, were created by Taiwanese environmental and public artist Shih Pao Lin.
Initially conceived as an environmental call to action, the "Twelve Zodiac" sculptures challenge us to reflect on waste and renewal. Although MetroCards are technically recyclable, their small size and material composition often prevent them from being properly processed. As a result, most MetroCards end up in landfills, contributing to overcrowding and pollution.
Through the creation of these sculptures, Lin ensured that 30,000 MetroCards were kept out of landfills, a tangible achievement for environmental advocates.
Coincidentally, he completed this environmentally conscious artwork in the same year the New York government plans to phase out MetroCards. The MTA has announced its intention to retire MetroCards, which have been in use since the 1990s, by the end of 2024. After that, residents and visitors alike will transition to the OMNY system for transit payments.
For environmentalists, this is a milestone achievement. The sculptures serve as both a celebration of the end of an era and a farewell to the MetroCard, encapsulating the brief 34 years it was a symbol of New York City’s daily life.
“Stacking is his artistic language.”
For decades, Lin has employed the technique of stacking and repetition to convey his environmentalist message. Through global initiatives, he has collected and recycled discarded materials, transforming them into monumental public artworks:
- In September, he completed this "Chinese Zodiac" series after 25 years, made from 30,000 recycled MetroCards.
- In 2020, he created the "Tree of Hope," a 25-foot-tall sculpture made from 25,000 recycled baseballs.
- In 2015, he created the life-sized car "F1", made from 25,000 recycled mobile phones at a cost of around $30,000.
For environmentalists, this is a milestone achievement. The sculptures serve as both a celebration of the end of an era and a farewell to the MetroCard, encapsulating the brief 34 years it was a symbol of New York City’s daily life.
“Stacking is his artistic language.”
For decades, Lin has employed the technique of stacking and repetition to convey his environmentalist message. Through global initiatives, he has collected and recycled discarded materials, transforming them into monumental public artworks:
- In September, he completed this "Chinese Zodiac" series after 25 years, made from 30,000 recycled MetroCards.
- In 2020, he created the "Tree of Hope," a 25-foot-tall sculpture made from 25,000 recycled baseballs.
- In 2015, he created the life-sized car "F1", made from 25,000 recycled mobile phones at a cost of around $30,000.
MetroCards have often been part of special collaborations with commercial brands, colleges, and organizations, and limited-edition MetroCards were released during campaigns at only specific subway stations. These collaborations often sparked small waves of cultural excitement, sending ripples through New York’s society.
Through the use of New York City’s iconic MetroCard, Lin effectively connects the ancient tradition of the Chinese Zodiac with the contemporary urban landscape. “The Zodiac serves as a totem for every Asian person's life,” states Lin. The sculptures not only symbolize cultural heritage but also engage with critical questions surrounding identity in an increasingly globalized world. In an era where personal and collective identities are fluid and multifaceted, Lin’s work prompts us to consider: How do individuals navigate their sense of self through cultural symbols within global cities?
Curator Wei-Hsuan Chen saw Lin’s work as a profound observation of both culture and life. She notes that the process of collecting these cards became part of the artistic creation itself, reflecting Lin’s deep observation of the interconnectedness of culture, society, and personal experience.
Sponsored by the Crystal Foundation, the exhibition ran from September 24 to October 7. With the exhibition set in the middle of a major transit hub, Lin’s "Twelve Zodiac" sculptures not only speak to the past but also resonate with the daily lives of the commuters who pass by, inviting them to reflect on their own journeys, both literal and symbolic.