DOG ‘TRAIN’ING
Wegman pup murals cheer straphangers
These pups can help soothe a “ruff ” ride.
Oversize images by famed photographer William Wegman of his dogs Topper and Flo are gracing the newly revamped 23rd Street F/M subway station and eliciting smiles from weary commuters.
The images, rendered in tile mosaics, are the latest in subway art that includes work by Chuck Close on the Second Avenue line and Yoko Ono at 72nd Street. The images were revealed Thursday when the Sixth Avenue station reopened after a four-month renovation that included repairs to the platform, new lighting and upgraded technology.
Wegman said the MTA approached him to create the work, which is called “Stationary Figures.”
“I took all new pictures,” he told The Post. “They’re all made with the subway in mind.”
He said he tried to mimic the looks he’s seen on fellow passengers as they wait on the platform. “They’re either on their phones or they’re waiting for something or they have this blank look which seemed to suit my dogs,” he said.
There are two triptychs of the undressed brother and sister dogs and five images of the Weimaraners in what Wegman described as ordinary-looking clothing.
Nicole Marino, 50, of Williamsburg, was among the straphangers delighted by the whimsical images.
“Oh, it’s William Wegman!” she said, recognizing the artist. “I think it’s stunning. The colors are awesome.”
Gefford Booth, 65, said the pictures elevated the station.
“I think it will, at least for a few seconds, give [straphangers] a bit of an uplifted spirit,” he said.
The photographs were shipped to Munich, Germany, where they were turned into glass tiles for the mosaics.
“We got test samples of one of the dog heads, and it looked promising so we went ahead with that,” Wegman explained.
The whole project took about two years to complete.
Wegman, whose work is part of the collections at the Metropolitan Museum, Museum of Modern Art and Whitney Museum, said a whole new audience will now see his photographs. “It’s really fun for me.” he said.
Wegman, who is 75 and lives in Chelsea, is a frequent subway commuter, although usually on the E line, he said.
He demurred when asked how the beleaguered transit agency might improve service.
“I really like what they’re doing as far as making it look better,” he said. “But how to make them run better, that’s out of my area.”
At least one rider had a realistic take on the station upgrade.
“I just texted my girlfriend to come see [the art] while it’s still clean,” he quipped.