Long Live the MetroCard: The Story Behind Juan Carlos Pinto’s Underground Art
It may no longer be in use, but the MetroCard is forever, thanks to Brooklyn-based artist Juan Carlos Pinto. Photo by Jamie Lubetkin.
The MetroCard is dead. But while it may no longer be in use, its cultural significance lives on. Just ask Juan Carlos Pinto, whose artwork is one big love letter to the MTA transit card.
Pinto, a Guatemalan-born artist and art historian based in Brooklyn, uses the 32-year-old MetroCard to tell stories about New York’s urban culture. It is through the collection, destruction, and reconfiguration of these recycled cards that he brings social issues like migration and attitudes toward immigrants in the city to the surface. (And it is oh-so-New York.)
These days, Pinto may be short on stock, but he’s going to continue telling stories with what he’s got. So exactly how does he do it?
After decades of use, the MetroCard is leaving — but Pinto’s works of James Baldwin and others live on. Photos c/o Pinto.
First things first, each day Pinto starts with a round of push-ups and coffee. He throws on his overalls, “farmer’s style”, and heads straight to the studio, where he turns on Latin beats. Favorite musicians include Cigala and Manu Chao. Then he picks up some scissors and glue and gets to work. He doesn’t need much space, but it has to be private. After all, it’s MetroCard murder one scissor chop at a time.
His style? Call it deconstructive. He likes to completely destroy his material to turn it into something even better. His work includes portraits of celebrities, animals, birds, and even a president (Obama).
Pinto operates according to a very serious albeit slightly confusing mantra: “growth makes mosaics friendly!” (We’re not exactly sure what that means, but we like it.)
Beyond MetroCard art, what’s his brightest idea that’s yet to see the light of day? “A chapel,” he says. “I’m a recovering Catholic.”
When he wraps up his day, he purposefully leaves a little work unfinished, so he has a reason to wake up the next day.
After all, the MetroCard might now be gone, but his work lives on. In tribute, here are some of his best MetroCard works of art.
Hello, Madonna.
Notorious BIG.
A blue bird.
Jean-Michel Basquiat.
An owl
Keith Allen Haring
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