I‘ve seen those silver and gold railings uptown and on the West Side. I haven’t seen them downtown. There may be some of those railings downtown but I haven’t seen them. Downtown has a lot of the old school wrought iron railings, especially on the brownstones. You can’t miss these silver and gold railings – they kinda stand out. My friend told me they are made of stainless steel and are custom made and not cheap. There’s a beauty to them. I love the way they sparkle in the sunlight, wrought iron can’t do that. (Jessica, not her real name)
The New York Times recently had a story about stainless steel fences, handrails, doors and awnings that can be found in some Asian American neighborhoods in New York City. They are bright and shiny and often have elaborate design features. These structures were the subject of a similar story several years ago in The Margins, an Asian American literary magazine. We too have noticed these silver fences, railings and doors with their gold accents lining the homes in certain parts of Jersey City and wondered about their origin.
The two articles cited above, which include interviews with consumers, as well as producers of these structures, provide some insight into their origin, meaning and appeal. They touch on themes of migration, culture, identity, social class and taste, among others. This photo essay is an attempt to share some of these insights from these articles in our exploration of these structures in Jersey City.
The prevalence of these structures in New York coincides with the growth of the Asian and Pacific Islander population between 2010 and 2019. This includes immigrants of Asian-Indian heritage from the Caribbean. In Jersey City, Asian Americans make up 26% of the population, according to the U.S. Census. That is a 4% increase since 2010.
In Jersey City, these structures can be found outside restaurants, and other businesses as well.
For many homeowners, the steel fences and railings, which can add up to several thousand dollars, are a status symbol signaling their arrival into the middle class.
For some, stainless steel is more practical requiring less maintenance, unlike iron railings and fences.
For some, the shiny, clean stainless steel look is more modern looking.
Safety is another factor cited by some residents. The gates and doors provide a greater sense of security.
Stainless steel’s versatility makes it easy to shape to fit individual tastes.
New York Times: Readers Comments
The New York Times readers comments, of which there were 256, also provide some insight into these structures and their meaning for those inside and outside of the Asian-American community.
“Not Just An Asian Thing:” Some readers said they have seen these stainless steel structures in Greek, Italian and Russian neighborhoods. One reader said: “This kind of fencing is also popular in the Greek Community in Astoria. I love it because it reminds me of Greece and the heritage of this community.” Another said homeowners with these structures in his neighborhood are not Asian but have roots in the Americas both north and south.
A Matter of Taste: Several readers found these structures “tawdry,” and “tacky.” A few said they were akin to vinyl siding as well as white vinyl fences. In responding to these views, other readers pointed to emblems on luxury cars, jewelry and designer clothing many Americans use in an ostentatious display of their taste and wealth. Still other readers argued that taste was in the eye of the beholder. However, most sociologists would argue that our tastes are strongly influenced by our upbringing, education, social class and culture. That the social groups we identify with, or aspire to, influence our tastes. And, that taste is also used as a marker to distinguish ourselves from others.
Stainless Steel Structures & Art Deco: One reader remarked that these structures “are beautiful, reminiscent of Art Deco metalwork of the past.”
Art Deco, a movement in the decorative arts and architecture, that began a century ago, has had a great impact on the design of buildings and objects ever since. Its geometric shapes, smooth lines, use of silver and gold-like materials, as well as its shiny, lacquered look, can also be found on the stainless steel structures. However, Art Deco, is generally not seen as “tawdry” or “tacky” perhaps because it has been embraced by the upper middle class over the decades and because of its association with high art.
Cultural Understanding: Some readers expressed appreciation to the author for explaining the history behind the stainless steel structures and their meaning for those who embrace them. It gave them some insight into why their neighbors favor these structures. As one reader commented: “As our country becomes even more diverse, these kinds of stories are going to be extremely important in helping Americans understand one another.”
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