Exclusive | Last generation to use MetroCards gives them second life as iconic NYC art

Young members of the last generation of New Yorkers to use MetroCards have given the now-defunct transit payment cards new life by recycling them into quirky art at Grand Central Terminal.“It’s great to honor the MetroCard and how it was such an important part of New York City,” said Amayra Talwar, a 15-year-old NYC Lab School for Collaborative Studies sophomore who cut up dozens of MetroCards to piece together the iconic Plaza Hotel logo for the project.The teen’s Manhattan school was one of five picked for the Transit Museum and MTA Arts and Design program, which encouraged students to recycle old MetroCards into art.Their creations were on display at a pop-up gallery at Grand Central.“I was sad to see it go,” Amayra said of the MetroCard.“It represented New York City in a way because the subway is the main way of transportation for all New Yorkers.”She said that although the process — which involved cutting the cards up into tiny pieces — was tedious, it was extremely satisfying and a great homage to a staple of her childhood.More seasoned MetroCard artists such asThomas McKean and Nina Boesch — who have been using the cards as a medium for decades — imparted their wisdom on the kids for the program while also sharing history about the iconic plastic payment cards.De’Anthony Bibbs, 17, and his Bronx River High School classmates used the MetroCards like canvases — sanding them down and then painting their choice of Big Apple iconography on themMany of the kids looked to represent their borough by painting images of Yankee Stadium, subway cars and bagels.De’Anthony used The Bronx as his inspiration when he painted music notes hovering over a trio of sneakers.“I really wanted to draw a music note on a line, and to make it more Bronx, New York, I added the shoes.

Most people here care about their shoes!” the high-school junior said.Jack Costas opted to depict the city’s famous Pizza Rat — the critter who sprang to subway stardom...