How a Train Tunnel Became the Center of NYC’s Art Scene | I Was There

In this episode of “I Was There”, VICE meets Chris Pape, a renowned artist known for his graffiti work in the “Freedom Tunnel”. The tunnel runs under Riverside Park in Manhattan and was used for freight trains until its closure in the 1980s. Once closed, a community of homeless people began to flourish. Chris Pape talks about his experience with this community and the art he practiced there until the tunnel completely shuttered a decade later.
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[@purifieddrinkingwater3325]

If I saw this guy on the street, I would've NEVER thought he was a grafiti artist in the past

[@LI-pm3mh]

So what does a graffiti artist look like?

[@kasumcanaganacanagana9414]

@@LI-pm3mh i would like to know also 😃

[@gentwoaw]

I couldn't agree more - chrisfreedompape

[@Techdolphin200]

you don't notice all of them. most never talk about it

[@Ottophil]

L I young

[@scottloring6188]

I could watch a lot more of this. Great piece

[@HunterWoodlawn]

Pinsqueezebic 1 same

[@TheJulioGulio]

WAKE UP VICE! This is the content that made you great!

[@dorobo81]

Yes more on ART please.

[@gentwoaw]

Thanks - chrisfreedompape

[@2003mandiman]

Yeah, I could watch this kinda stuff endlessly! 💗

[@AC-tz4im]

I loved this. Rip to the homeless man sounded like he had a big heart and was intelligent.

[@blankface_]

I was worried about how Vice would frame this but it looks like they did a pretty good job. Dude is a legend. Also, I've been running into the same homeless guy down there for a decade now. Always bring food or something if you're down there.

[@gentwoaw]

Thanks Empire Stories - chrisfreedompape

[@manny5292]

If I ever take a trip to the city best believe this is a spot I’ll have to visit even if I don’t paint anything just the experience would be amazing

[@r8me]

@Volf Khat i think he means a different homeless person..

[@most-hated-inc]

Freedom is legendary, and deserves to have his name included with the aerosol legends he mentioned. That History of Graffiti piece alone is iconic. Give this man his props...

[@KGBgringo]

Wait a minute, did, did Vice just release a short documentary on something genuinely interesting that didn't involve hipsters? Stay with us Vice, stay in the light, you can do this.

[@kalebdye4378]

These were the hipsters before the modern hipsters.

[@KGBgringo]

These guys weren't Instagraming coffees and discussing beardwax over an avocado toast. These few artists were pushing boundaries and making art for the sake of art not to try and get as many likes as possible or because it's what they saw someone doing on tiktok.

[@x8n42xb67n]

@@KGBgringo I mean, he did say he was doing it purely for his peers respect, same thing. That's coming from a graffiti writer too. I don't think they were hipsters though, they were pioneers

[@CheerUp2]

@@KGBgringo I would say thats 2015-2017 hipsters and how they acted, they are alittle more different now.

[@gentwoaw]

Thanks KGBgringo, I was so unhip it was ridiculous. chrisfreedompape

[@nitrojunkie9027]

Was transferred from Naval shipyard in Philly up to Ft. Wadsworth in Staten island to work in Brooklyn shipyard and finish the SIMA building in Staten island for the home port of the USS Normandy. Was stationed with a tagger from Jersey who took me down their a couple of times. Good memories, when New York was gnarly.

[@mikeyfarts586]

Who was the NJ tagger. Chip or rime?

[@southpawdj]

I've been obsessed with Graffiti since watching Beat Street as a kid.

[@be-sd5767]

Or style warz grafiitti documentary

[@vladimirjean-francois5161]

I am 51 years old now, and I remember when myself(VLADONE(KOC) and KENS(HOT) where bombing the A and C trains sneaking into the yards underneath Linden Plaza Projects on Sutter Ave and Lincoln Ave , this bring me back memories to my teenage years in the early 80's. The memoirs hearing this artist is priceless.

[@thenigglefish2682]

Do you still write?

[@Moodboard39]

Crazy, seen alot everywhere in Brooklyn

[@vladimirjean-francois5161]

@thenigglefish2682 No, the last time that I went bombing I was 16 or 17 years old.

[@Zero-ix4up]

I feel that everyone has a story to tell and everyone is trying to find their purpose

[@TheThetombraider123]

This isn't profound

[@THIZZZN]

Your absolutely right there are some people that are more in tune than others but keep faith in the future plant the seed and sooner or later the tree shall bear fruit and shade ✌🏼

[@rednola9892]

Wow vice released something totally not horrible...give some a raise.

[@patw.6567]

IKR

[@rednola9892]

@L K stop talking about yourself. Let's focus on the video.

[@prestonpowers7376]

That's why they say "Don't judge a book by its cover", eh?

[@fairykween333]

why are people hating on this video? it was so interesting to see the progression of street art during those times.

[@lurkintracks]

*graffiti

[@weatherloops]

Graffiti and street art are two different things

[@usernamesta3334]

@@weatherloops graffiti is a type of street art. Street art is not a type of graffiti tho

[@2ndTwin7]

14 years old i fell in love with graffiti, now 32 years old i still love it just as much, its an art/doing something ppl tell u u cant do/so underground...we arrest ppl for doing art wtf!?..love graffiti. SEIK

[@scroez]

Word! I started in 84 at 11years old. I'm not painting much due to health issues sadly, Though I still think about graff, all times. I remember clocking this guys work in Scraycan art for the first time here in the UK. Keep rocking' SEIK, Props SKROEZ CVK pZ.

[@2ndTwin7]

@@scroez thanks man, best of luck to you

[@lucasskovgaard3526]

they arrest them and place advertisements instead... €€€

[@javedk]

This man is an absolute legend in nyc. Always heard about him growing up in the 80s and 90s.

[@aurakl2407]

Watching this was very emotional for me. I have such an incredibly deep love for street art, truth, human/animal rights...We live in such a dysfunctional system and this a great example of it.

[@gentwoaw]

Thanks Anita - chrisfreedompape

[@mikeyfarts586]

Yup.

[@jonwittmann3042]

you can still get down there, i **allegedly** went down there last summer (at least according to what i've heard). harder to get in now that the central park boathouse is closed (alledgedly, no admission of guilt). some of his stuff is still up!

[@2thezaza]

I *allegedly* tried but there is no way because its just construction companies all around it and its covered

[@jonwittmann3042]

@@2thezaza alledgedly there is one of the metal grate doors that is unlocked but closed about midway through the tunnel, thats how someone may have gotten out last time (alledgedly). might be possible to get in

[@senseruthless5387]

Get soooomeeee! Greetings y'all from playa del carmen 🇲🇽 keep the Graff alive compadres...

[@SHAZ_ILLYORK]

Still very easy to get in

[@Good_Luck11]

@@jonwittmann3042 why do u feel the need to blow the spot up on the internet? how old r u 15

[@jdosreis56]

those train tracks on the west side still get tagged up

[@Zeekdafreak989]

Nyc is a rotting shithole

[@followtheboat]

"Self Portrait" (spray can in a jacket) has long been one of my fave graffiti pieces. How curious to finally hear the artist behind it, thirty-odd years later.

[@wheninroamful]

One of the best things VICE has made, and it's way toooo short; Thanks VICE and can we get more videos on art like this, love it and the comment section is full on comments like this.

[@xxliam_030xx3]

I’m still going there today and I’ve seen some of his old art

[@tonyheather-noon5291]

Internet culture really is vile, This dude wanted to better himself so he did, who are we to sit behind a screen dissecting what these people did and judge them so harshly. Humans subdued to cockroach level of consciousness. Maximum respect to this absolute legend.

[@youtubecensorsspeech6672]

He died young though. The condition in these tunnels may not be healthy. However he lived life the way he wanted which is inspiring.

[@legoguy23451]

it's our human condition. it may not be pretty, but cosmic imperfection is perfection in itself. the truth holds so much power, that like beholding a crucifix in the face of a demon, they become intimidated by the reality that they are confronted by because it causes them to question their frame of reference. rather than persevere through this struggle to gain perspective and understanding, they attempt to regain control over the situation by controlling other people through their emotions. they try to evoke a negative emotional response through an insult, but in what illusory control they gain in the moment, they ultimately surrender control over their ego and return to their limited understanding of reality because it is what is comfortable for them. it doesn't challenge them.

[@gentwoaw]

You're too kind Tony - chrisfreedompape

[@tonyheather-noon5291]

@Eric Beller Not Bernard exactly, but an alarming number of the earlier comments were people being just plane judgmental about the subject of the video

[@ChlorineInMySoup]

@@legoguy23451 respect

[@akev9075]

SNL Stefon's voice: THIS PLACE HAS EVERYTHING!!

[@victorarmijo8434]

One of the best Vice pieces ive seen in a while. You can literally feel the vibe from those photos. Down to the cool air.. Thanks.

[@Musicreach101]

What a world we used to live in before technology really became a staple in our life. Wish I could go back in time and press pause forever. 🤘🏻

[@benc1916]

Ooooh ur edgy

[@nprvictim2951]

This kind of stuff still happens.

[@ATrashStudio]

I've always thought that too. I feel like this generation and people now just miss out on so much and culture has become crap and no one cares about anything anymore. Life is just so fast.

[@jakx2ob]

What does this have to do with technology? What is needed to have more of this is solidarity with autonomous zones.

[@2thezaza]

technically you can still do this?

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

The guys a pioneer. I have nothing but respect for him. Vice it seems a lot of your viewers have no culture! I even saw a comment to the likes of “I like graffiti, just not that tagging crap”! Lol bust out the bengay much

[@wdsftygt]

You’re a bland weed obsessed loser.

[@gentwoaw]

Thanks C an control!

[@ATrashStudio]

@Dreamstate You're crazy. It's art and culture. You're just bourgeoisie

[@marley1995]

Dreamstate tagging is graffiti, I’ll write all over your building

[@aus-li]

Officer 69 And I’ll write all over yours ;)

[@donaldyeoman8914]

I admire and respect this man..I Remember seeing the history of graffiti dedication in spraycan art in 1987,just the depth,heart,belief,energy and soul that this man has and all his experiences,that he has had and lived through over the years is truly remarkable..so much emotion,much love and respect out to you always from Australia,you are a true account of actual living history from those years !and I admire and respect you.

[@BlaxicanBeautyTV333]

Finally an actual documentary.

[@Moodboard39]

Yea, this one was good

[@olafisashark5105]

Do more of this please. Reminds me of the old vice.

[@Trainy2]

I love learning about this stuff and how creative and unique people can be

[@missmelaniesblackrosary]

These are the stories that make me interested & smile♥️

[@gentwoaw]

Thanks Miss Melanie - chrisfreedompape

[@GrandpaVince]

I'm a New York yodeller myself and I painted a lot of those things. Cant believe its come to this

[@Concrete_hell]

Wow, this was amazing I still cant believe Vice did this. Nice job

[@GeoffreyColon]

Legend! I love what Chris says about not being able to deal with the critics of your work. Critics will always exist, but this is a great story on how you escape them to invent art or innovation on the boundaries.

[@kryptichands968]

A man with no belongings is not homeless he is truly free..... RIP Bernard

[@adamd416]

This piece is absolutely excellent!

[@joe5boost]

this was amzing to watch , thanks for sharing would love to know more

[@KBWS]

been waiting for this vice

[@djJustJay]

Me and zyre used to walk and paint the feeedom tunnels in the 90’s. This is a wonderful memory of some of my younger years in NYC

[@heywoodx5353]

I went down there in about 1977. This is so cool. My friend tripped in a hole on the floor in the dark, and got all bruised up. He gives me grief about it to this day.

[@yesterdaydream]

I need a creative space like this. We all do, I bet. That rendition of Goya's Third of May was arresting--I had to pause and take it in. I'm so glad this footage exists so that we can marvel at such a magical phenomenon.

[@JUMSJUMSJUMSJUMS]

We're still keepin the craft alive man, this guy is a legend, RIP the greats 🙏

[@gentwoaw]

Thank you.

[@JUMSJUMSJUMSJUMS]

@@gentwoaw ❤❤❤

[@ATrashStudio]

Please do more on this topic vice. Im going to look for movies on this topic now, even fiction. But this is the vice I missed.

[@enterthelegions]

Oh man. Legend lives . What cool art

[@prunehead]

I like watching things like these as they give me a real world sense of the passing of time. I spent many years in a haze of ganj smoke, coke sniffing and opiate dependancy. I wish I had used the time between being 20 years old and 30 years old more productively but I didn't, all I have is the time left. Things like this make me wish to have, if not more of an impact, but more of a creatively charged and ambitious approach to life. I need not the fame or recognition amongst a small collective or a mass audience, I just wish to use my time to make something of which I am proud of on a personal level. Be it art, socially conscious progression, enjoyable soundscapes of just free flowing positive fun. Cheers.

[@xivallora8834]

Great video. Informativea and profound :). Cheers

[@laz0rama]

Back in the 70s you could get down to that tunnel - we called it the freight tunnel, to distinguish it from the 1 tunnel we were always at - through a grate in the wall at the baseball fields in the low 100s in riverside park. There were metal catwalk stairs going down, if I remember correctly.

[@Moodboard39]

It's closed?

[@benjamintchang3923]

Great video. Awful to hear the city forced people out of what little homes they have. But I'm glad their legacy is preserved. Like they say, when one person takes more than their fair share, someone else goes without.

[@wildwallsart5622]

First vice doc I appriciate in a long time.

[@riverdeep399]

Now this, was interesting. Kelzo was a great graff artist in Manc.

[@Bro-bi3in]

Good job on documenting this cultural moment in history.

[@K26epic]

Truely inspirational portrayal of youth in NYC

[@Trapnati]

Need more like this 🔥

[@izal2860]

Finally vice back with a truly wonderful video instead of toilet paper making videos

[@robertafierro5592]

Mt younger brother was allowed to go there, except in 1978, the tunnels were in the rail yard in Brookyn. They'd go.in the middle of the night.

[@bignig1995]

The episode is 🔥🔥🔥

[@eastsider85]

Adding this to my list of things to visit,as a new yorker i love finding hidden gems within the city

[@eastsider85]

@Ben Dover lol thanks karen

[@NotiFawkes]

These unique behind the scenes of artistic anons who are at peace and come out to the world with knowledge in their later years

[@cristophernestor9656]

The last time I went down there was 2014- 2016 , i went through a hole in a fence down in 71st near some tennis courts. I'm from The Bronx, i wish Graffiti culture wasn't so looked down upon... good job Vice

[@weatherloops]

Vice please make more of these

[@alphazen3108]

6:25 I remember that can character in the book spraycan art.

[@DenverArtist]

Shout out to Vice for uploading some real content. This is not "street art" though, this embodies American Graffiti, and the grandfather of what's now called "street art". This is truly important history!

[@gentwoaw]

I always considered myself a writer, not a street artist.

[@blazayblazay8888]

*ZINZO* WAS HERE!*

[@BucksawBoushh]

Love seeing that SANE tag at 5:32

[@furiousgeorge5658]

This was plain beautiful.

[@philipmorgan9953]

''Lighter's up for the gifted artist out there who done some brill work on those tunnal's>it's sad that someone can buy some thing and shut it down when the art reflex life back then, even the artist even had the ol bill after them........but they made history by their art! PEACE stay safe out there!

[@TKOTRUSTKNOWONE]

It's on my bucket list, to go writing again!

[@fatpants40]

Let’s make that happen champ, where do you live?

[@TKOTRUSTKNOWONE]

@@fatpants40 san diego

[@mrdunnepoetryreallifetvuk1934]

Wow the memories ❤️

[@malo_2139]

Great content!

[@rossrobbins7707]

this is awesome!

[@mcfreeagent]

you're inspirational, "in-spirit". Pulling out my paint cans...

[@Zeekdafreak989]

Dark Days

[@graffaholics198]

Hoping I can visit this incredible spot one day!

[@roquehernandez3512]

Growing up in the 70's I remembered seeing throw ups Of Freedom. Is good to see him now. EO2 👑

[@user-pv3lp5jw8s]

Respect from canada sir!

[@RappersDigest]

Need more like this 👑

[@masterixpl]

more video abut subway graffiti, secret places where people paint, etc

[@metrixalix]

another graff legend wow...

[@user-gy2nh9fe3b]

you can still get down there, i *allegedly* went down there last summer (at least according to what i've heard). harder to get in now that the central park boathouse is closed (alledgedly, no admission of guilt). some of his stuff is still up!

[@mrpoo1234567890]

If anyone is interested, there's a really interesting documentary film called Dark Days about those living in the tunnels of New York. Highly recommend!

[@tonydreads622]

This was amazing

[@keego1873]

amazing work

[@MR-rd7el]

Great story Freedom 2bad wee didn't hook up b4 I left NYC in 1986 ,,,respect 2u from Mack-Tatscru

[@tippfff]

Love this man! In Amsterdam * * * we also have a graffiti history in the subway tunnels.

[@cathya7045]

I remember as a kid looking outside of the window the subway pointing out all the cool graffiti a dangerous as it was it's still a big part of my childhood visiting family in New York in the 90s kind of sad but kind of good in a weird way that we don't see it anymore

[@ugo445]

Vice is doin much better recently with stuff like this!!! Unbiased interesting journalism!!!

[@ppieet233]

Dude this grandpa is so grateful

[@alexsullivan1694]

Brilliant 👏🏻

[@HayesPlays]

I’d love a full documentary on this

[@Moodboard39]

Yesss

[@yourstrulyhazy6692]

I remember watching a cool ass doc not long ago of the homelessness in that tunnel these days

[@DSWL_]

LEGEND

[@hunnydipnyc]

amazing

[@ant5611]

Very genuine Love it

[@jdeguzman4330]

a true OG. respect freedom.

[@russellfultz9771]

Chris, thank you for your time and your creations. You are a legend in the sub-culture art scene. You are an inspiration to all of us “street people” who also choose the graffiti art style.

[@gentwoaw]

@Russell Fultz Thanks so much for the kind words. chrisfreedompape

[@flyinpolack6633]

cool video, thanks!

[@tomjenkins8151]

more content like this please vice

[@THIZZZN]

The man is a legend and his kids are like ok cool whatever dad lol great piece great interview great art

[@gentwoaw]

They are cool kids.

[@JD-zz3lf]

Amazing

[@fleamarketfloppydisk]

Was this the same tunnel from the Dark Days documentary?

[@jhornproductions]

Yep

[@onerixxxfwkcrew7220]

Wonderful ... A historical moment ... The history of American graffiti ... very beautiful .. Interesting and touching ...👌👌👌♥️💖👍