If you ever find yourself waiting for the R/W train at the Prince Street station, take a moment to observe the wall along the platform. You’ll see a series of small silhouettes depicting people carrying a variety of objects. This unique artwork is called “Carrying On” by Janet Zweig and Edward del Rosario.
A Frieze of Everyday Life
Commissioned by the MTA Arts for Transit program and installed in 2004, “Carrying On” spans a 1,200-foot dotted line. Along this line, 194 silhouettes of people walk, each carrying something different—from trash bags, groceries, and Christmas trees to backpacks, baby strollers, musical instruments, and even dogs. The variety is as endless as the imagination.
Capturing New York City in Motion
The silhouettes were created from photographs of over 2,000 New Yorkers living their daily lives both in and out of the subway. From this collection, 194 individuals were selected to be immortalized on the station walls. Each figure represents a snapshot of real city life, transforming mundane moments into enduring art.
The Meaning Behind the Motion
According to the artists, the concept behind “Carrying On” reflects the essence of New Yorkers:
“People on the streets of New York are almost always carrying something, sometimes something huge and outlandish. After the 9/11 tragedy, New Yorkers felt they must carry on with their lives. Finally, New Yorkers are notoriously opinionated and lively. They really do ‘carry on.'”
The work symbolizes resilience and determination. Each silhouette represents a story, and it’s up to the viewer to imagine what it might be. Despite the city’s challenges and personal struggles, the message remains clear: we all carry burdens, but the important thing is to keep moving forward and reach our destinations.