CITYist

E. McKnight Kauffer (American, 1890-1954). Power, The Nerve Centre of London’s Underground. 1930. The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

While we can’t imagine having such high regard for anything hanging in the New York subway, these posters from London’s tube stations between the two world wars are nothing short of fascinating. Back then, walking through the underground railway stations was akin to walking through an art gallery, with colorful, modern lithograph posters. These ranged from PR for the railway system itself (“Quickly Away, Thanks To Pneumatic Doors!”) to war-time PSA’s (“In The Blackout, Wear or Carry Something White”). On top of being visually stunning, the images offer a glimpse of London’s every day existence from this historically significant period. Underground Gallery: London Transport Posters, 1920s–1940s is on view now at MoMA through February of next year.

László Moholy-Nagy (American, born Hungary. 1895-1946). Quickly Away, Thanks To Pneumatic Doors. 1937. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. © 2010 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn.

E. McKnight Kauffer (American, 1890-1954). Winter Sales Are Best Reached by Underground. 1924. The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Zero (Hans Schleger) (British, 1898-1976). In The Blackout, Wear or Carry Something White. 1943. The Museum of Modern Art, New York.