I had just moved to New York, and looking at the subway map was like decrypting an ancient language from the pyramids. It was my first time riding the subway alone, worse it was after midnight since I just got off my shift at the cafe. The only person on the train was a toothless man with crazy hair that looked eighty plus years old. I was desperate. Amazingly, he was very helpful, saying I take this train to that train. And I got home. Not lost! You gotta love classic New York hospitality.
The Australian-German team of Chauntelle Trinh and Eckard Buscher created Metropolitan Cityscapes representing 16 cities from across America, Europe, and Asia. Every intricate corner and detail of these cities are presented by the design of a laser cutter which is why some of the most teeny tiny cuts were possible. More than a map, it’s a perfect grid of something much more personal. Displaying it in your home you can point to say that’s the courtyard where we ate biscuits on our trip, or that’s the building I grew up in, or there’s where I finished the marathon.
The team reflects on this amazing project, “Metropolitan Cityscapes is an homage to cities that inspire us. Every city is as unique, and as beautiful, as we are. The city is to us. ”