ABOUT THE PROJECT

In Manifestations of the Voyage, ten photograms by artist Liz Nielsen open a portal into shifting landscapes of color and geometry, evoking the fleeting impressions that accompany any journey. The exhibition’s title, borrowed from poet and artist Etel Adnan, gestures toward the inner worlds that emerge in moments of transit.

Working with the photogram, one of photography’s earliest techniques, Nielsen creates her images without a camera. In the darkroom, she layers materials and objects over photosensitive paper and directs light through multiple exposures to build compositions that balance careful planning with spontaneity. The resulting artworks explore the intersection of color perception, physics, and the intangible forces that shape how we move through the world.

Arranged to align with the daily ebb and flow of Grand Central Madison commuters at dawn and dusk, the installation positions nocturnal color fields along the corridor leading travelers toward Long Island. On the opposite side, customers heading into the city encounter compositions that evoke daytime glows. Each photogram becomes a vivid moment within the corridor’s daily rhythm, with shifts of color and light that reimagine the familiar path between departure and arrival.

The exhibition is curated by MTA Arts & Design in collaboration with the artist and will be on view through September 2026.

MTA Arts & Design —