I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING. THE POLICE SHOULD BE ARRESTING THESE PEOPLE SELLING DRUGS AND TURNING TRICKS, NOT PEOPLE SELLING MERCHANDISE...WELL, YOU'RE RIGHT, THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING TOO. (Street Vendor)
Glen Ligon has collected comments on 42nd Street and its life from people for whom the street has some special meaning. The quotes are painted on metal signs affixed to storefronts along the block. They look like the signs we'd find on a construction site, but they address issues of urban change, memory, and notions of the future."
AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN COMING HERE 42ND STREET HAS BEEN LIKE THIS. IT'S LIKE IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THIS. YOU GOT TO WATCH YOUR BACK OR PEOPLE WILL TAKE YOUR PROPERTY FROM YOU. THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN THE SHOPS AND GUYS HANGING OUT. IT'S LIKE A BIG CIRCUS. IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO STAND AND WATCH THE SHOW, YOU'RE O.K. IF YOU STAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING, THE LIONS WILL GET YOU. (Anonymous)
THE CITY DOESN'T WANT US OUT HERE, THE TOURISTS DON'T WANT US OUT HERE. THEY TREAT US LIKE CRIMINALS, LIKE WE SHOULD ALL BE OVER AT RIKER'S OR SOMETHING. IF THEY HAD JOBS FOR THESE PEOPLE OUT HERE WE'D BE COMING HERE TO GO TO WORK, NOT TO HANG OUT.(Eddie)
THEY SHOULD MOVE THOSE SEX SHOPS TO A SPECIAL DISTRICT-LIKE DOWN ON CANAL STREET OR SOMETHING. I THINK THEY BRING THE WHOLE AREA DOWN. (John French)
Artists' Biography
Glenn Ligon was born in the Bronx. he is currently represented by Max Protetch Gallery. His work is included in the permanent collections of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, The MoMa, NY; The Whitney Museum of American Art, & The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington D.C.
History of the Site
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