This huge art wall has been an enigma for myself and most New Yorkers and visitors. The piece, Metronome, was commissioned by the developers of the building at One Union Square South, created by Kristin Jones and Andrew Ginzel (who won a national competition), and inaugurated in 1999. It is an investigation of time containing nine elements – every element has a specific meaning.

The photo only shows the central portion, The Vortex, in brick, measuring 100 feet high by 60 feet wide. Smoke is emitted throughout the day through the center (The Infinity), surrounded by gold leaf (The Source). Note the hand (900 pounds) of George Washington at the very top. To the left (not shown) is an element which always generates speculation: The Passage, a digital atomic clock 15 panels long (five feet high). It turns out to be an elaborate countdown of the day’s time. The entire piece, its elements, and its history are explained in the original press release.

No one really knows why people throw up their old sneakers over the lamp posts in NYC (and beyond). People have read a lot into it, projecting fears and leading to urban myths, but now the meaning of sneaker-throwing has changed – artists have begun making very realistic wooden replicas of sneakers and throwing them up all over the city and all over the world, for that matter.

Apparently, all other forms of street art, such as graffiti and stickers, have been done, so the only thing left was this gesture (these were at the corner of St. Marks Place and 1st Avenue in the East Village.) So we are left to wonder, are those real sneakers up there, and what does it all really mean, anyway? Probably just further evidence of youthful exuberance…