In “Contemporary Art Underground,” Sandra Bloodworth, the director of MTA Arts and Design, and deputy director Cheryl Hageman dive into the world of subway art.  

In the book, the duo writes, “Public art has matured and is now mainstream. Gone are the days of the genre being labeled 'plot art.' Once an anomaly, public art is now a given — expected by all.”

During an appearance on “Mornings On 1” Wednesday, Bloodworth emphasized that MTA leadership also realizes that.

“[MTA] leadership knows that you can’t build a place like [Grand Central Madison] — a beautiful, beautiful place — without bringing art,” Bloodworth said. “The art is what connects the riders, the people, our customers, to the city.”

The book takes a behind-the-scenes look at how more than 100 new pieces were conceived and installed throughout the subway system over the past decade, encouraging readers to explore them firsthand.