In New York City, every fleeting moment of inspiration is paid back in soot and grime. Sometimes the soot and grime become the inspiration themselves. More often, they crowd in from the sidelines — observed but not forgotten in the multitude of things that clamor for attention. It is said that the city dweller is exposed to an average of 5000 advertisiments in a given day. Only a few of those things will be as compelling as a broken toilet flung onto the street.

Which of those things will inspire? Which others will capture only a fleeting moment’s notice before crossing the street?