Tribeca Citizen | Writing on the Wall

Writing on the Wall

November 14, 2009 • Arts & Culture

Over a one-month period, photographer Asha Agnish walked every block of Tribeca. Her quest? To document all of the old signs left over from the neighborhood’s industrial past (and a few that pay homage to it). Here’s what she had to say about the experience: “Some are so huge and/or well-maintained you can’t miss them—such as the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank sign across from City Hall Park or the one reading “Brush Up Business” at West Broadway and Reade. But many are so faded, the outlines of letters are barely discernible, if at all. Seeking out the best vantage point, I sweet-talked my way into homes and offices and onto roofs. One person asked if I was carrying a weapon, another shamelessly flirted. Some used the intrusion as an excuse to take a break from work, while others showed an odd mix of generosity and impatience. Ultimately, I found more than 40 signs—with many more in nearby Soho and Chinatown. Some people lament the passing of old Tribeca, but we are literally surrounded by signs of the neighborhood’s past. Just look up!”

Here’s part one, the signs below N. Moore/White Streets. Part two to follow in a few days….