Makayla White
The New York City subway in the late 1970s and 1980s was a world unto itself. It was a microcosm of the city above, reflecting its grit, its diversity, and its unyielding energy. It was also a place of stark contrasts, where the glamour of the city rubbed shoulders with its darker side. Swiss photographer Willy Spiller, who called New York home for seven years during this period, captured this world in all its complexity.
A City in Flux
New York in this era was a city in flux. It was struggling with crime, poverty, and a crumbling infrastructure. The subway system, once a symbol of the city’s ambition and progress, had fallen into disrepair. Graffiti covered the trains, and crime was a constant threat.
Yet, the subway remained the lifeblood of the city. Millions of people rode it every day, their lives intersecting in the cramped cars and dimly lit stations. It was a place where stories unfolded, where strangers became fleeting companions, and where the rhythm of the city played out in a symphony of sounds and sights.
Spiller’s Subway Odyssey
Willy Spiller was fascinated by the subway’s unique energy. He spent countless hours riding the trains, observing the passengers, and capturing their stories with his camera. He wasn’t interested in the sensationalized headlines about crime and decay. He wanted to show the human side of the subway, the everyday moments that made it such a vibrant and fascinating place.
Spiller’s photographs reveal the incredible diversity of the subway’s ridership. People from all walks of life, from all corners of the globe, shared the same cramped spaces. They were united by their reliance on the subway, their need to get from one place to another, their dreams and aspirations.
His images tell stories without words. We see a young mother cradling her baby, a businessman engrossed in his newspaper, a group of friends sharing a laugh. We see faces etched with worry, eyes filled with hope, and expressions that speak volumes about the human experience.
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