Tape Art Tunnel

Calypso and I had visited this drain a while back, but I got no good pictures. I returned a couple nights ago to get some pictures in the dark, though it was difficult to discern most of the drain. When I returned for some final shots this morning, I found the bridge nearby under construction, and workers were actively crossing over the drain and walking around it. Fortunately, when I came back at around four o'clock, there were no workers to be found, so I headed down and got these shots.

But first, a bit about its history. The drain was used in the 1980s and 1990s as an urban underground (literally, underground) art gallery, put on by a RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) student. Paintings were set up along its blank walls, some engravings were carved, and mannequins hung from the ceiling. However, since then (and I'm not sure on the dates; most of this was heard from people who actually went there in its prime), the art was taken down and the drain was sealed up via a gate at its face. However, the drain was opened in 2007 by an elite group of urban explorers (Abandoned Dreams Exploration) and has been open to just about anyone who can climb down since. Unfortunately, no art has been actively added or put up in the drain for many years.

Also, as a side note, I titled this post "Tape Art Tunnel" because it sounds better than "Tape Art Drain," but this drain is not a tunnel, for it is not meant for transportation of anything but water. I apologize for the misnomer. Now, for the pictures:

A shot from the entrance to the end so that you can get a feel for how long this place is. Also, the ceiling is pretty low here, but I've seen much worse in drains.

One of the two outfalls into the drain. The other one was too small to go down.

These are railroad tracks. The train passes directly overhead--you can even look up and see it through the cracks here when it goes by. 

Old engraving.

Old painting on the wall itself.

Looking out at the gates/entrance from inside.

Looking at the gates from inside again, but in the dark.

This one is from just outside the drain looking in, but same idea.