Meaning Cleaning February 21, 2008

Meaning Cleaning
February 21, 2008
New York City

Collaboration between Hayley Severns and Angela Rose Voulgarelis Illgen

The underpass connecting the Downtown 6 train and the E/V trains at 51st Street has always had an aroma problem and a cleanliness problem. Underneath the Waldorf Astoria and W hotels, the subway station reeks of urine and is always covered in litter. One can feel the grime through one's shoes.

We arrived promptly at 2pm to address this issue.


Hayley began sweeping with a hand held broom. We decided to address an area and really clean to be in contrast to the rest of the station. We used the area between two columns and the wall.


Another shot of Hayley diligently sweeping. We expected stares and hecklers to say things to us, but at this point, we were pretty much ignored.




Once the area was swept, Angela began scrubbing it and applying wax and floor polish. An unintentional perimeter was created both by the shine of the floor and with Ajax jars and Fantastic bottles. Ironically, no one walked through the area once the perimeter was created. We intervened in the space and it was respected. For a brief moment.


Another shot of Angela cleaning.