New York Cabs to Display Mobile Art

Though the illuminated pyramid that sits atop New York City cabs has long been reserved for advertisements, January will see a new multifaceted taxi display—artwork from Alex Katz, Yoko Ono, and Shirin Neshat. Show Media, the Las Vegas company that owns half of the cone structures affixed on the city’s taxis, will display the works on approximately 500 cabs. Though it will cost the company about $100,000 in lost revenue, owner John Amato, a contemporary-art admirer, thought it was time for a change. “I decided to hit the mute button and give something back to the city,” said Amato. The “Art Adds” project will feature Katz’s combination of two recent female portraits, Iranian-born Neshat’s tribute to Pakistani- and Senegalese-born taxi drivers, and Ono’s new take on “The War Is Over” theme in sign language.