2023-2025 ROUTE: IND 8th Avenue
2026-2027 ROUTE: IND Crosstown
Base map by Jake Berman.

SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS  
↘ IN PROGRESS: IND CROSSTOWN LINE
↘ 8th AVE. BOOK REQUEST  eta 1-2 weeks
   
↘ “An AI Singles Scam, a Cybersecurity Social, and a Subway-Themed Book Launch: Welcome to Eventbrite Night” by Celia Young/ Hell GatE


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 "Our concern is the interaction of color; that is, seeing what happens between colors... Colors present themselves in continuous flux, constantly related to changing neighbors and changing conditions. As a consequence, this proves for the reading of color what Kandinsky often demanded for the reading of art: what counts is not the what but the how.” - Josef Albers, Interaction of Color (1963)

ABOUT 

23rd Street (2023)

The Subway Color Archive (SCA) chronicles the layered chromatic and sensory-based elements of MTA platforms.

2023-26 research highlights the columns that support the Independent Line (IND).


8th Avenue Line stations between 207th St. and Jay St. Metrotech have nearly a century of color history, now revisited.

In progress: Crosstown Line (IND) Court Street to Church Avenue

↘ Research from 2023-2025 was supported by the 2023 Independent Projects program, a grant partnership of the New York State Council on the Arts and The Architectural League of New York. Independent Project grants are made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State legislature.

↘ Ongoing work is funded through contributions. Venmo: @subway-color-archive

↘The SCA is not affiliated with the MTA.

Contact


WET PAINT

The path to pursue the SCA surfaced in a seminar called  The Polychromatic Reconstruction of Architecture (Spring, 2020) taught by David Gissen at the Yale School of Architecture.

The pilot project developed during this time, “Wet Paint: A Study of Subway Columns,” focused on the 23rd Street E/C station, a local stop with moderate foot traffic. Paint chips were collected from the platform, dissected, and examined for chroma, thickness, and texture. Seven unique color phases emerged. Each progressive column reveals a portal to the layer below.



REFERENCE

PRINT

350 (free) books for distribution.

RESERVE A COPY


Book requests include reference posters. 

SECOND PRINT: $25/ea. (End of May 2026)

Eighth Avenue Line

Project lead/ research: Mari Kroin
Designed by: Mike Tully
Design assistance: Willie Shaw
Copy edited by: AJ Artemel
Printed by: Conveyor Studio

14th Street (2025)


BULLETIN

Occasional updates on project developments and related news, events, and perspectives.

 2026

Updates in June
2025

↘ July-November Eighth Avenue Line
↘ April-June Proofing, Maps, MetroCard Machines, and WET PAINT
↘ January-March a farewell to the R46, 62, 68


ARCHIVE

↘ 2023-2024
3D prints (2024)
207th Street Palette Context (2025)

2023-2024 Column Paint Samples

Columns: 207th St. to Jay St. Metrotech (2023-24)
West 4 Street: survey, paint chip dissection, printed palette (2023-2026)


↑

MEMORY

 
34 Street 3D Scan (2023)

NEWSSTAND


↓

Underground artifacts for every day things.
↘ Limited run/alternates occasionally.
↘ No tax. Item cost covers shipping.

  

My bag
 ↘ Contributions
Venmo: @subway-color-archive
Pin
Transparent rat
Butterfly clutch back
1.25”(L) x 1”(W)
Pin
Stainless steel
Butterfly clutch back
1.25”(L) x 0.75”(W)



3”(L) x 1.5”(W)
↘ Archive




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Contact subway.color.archive@gmail.com with questions, comments, image rights, and collaborations.

© 2026 Mari Kroin