Calming Transit Art For The UWS?

Imagine waiting for the subway to arrive and hearing the pleasant sounds of nature. Running water, chirping birds, the rustling of leaves... the NY Times reports that this could all be a reality at the 96th and Broadway subway station in a little over a year. The public art project proposal is on the verge of MTA approval, and "the sounds, broadcast on a loop by hidden speakers in the above-ground headhouse, would be one component of an art installation intended for the station that draws on the ideas and iconography of Asian pop art and contemporary graphic design." Construction on the station is expected to be complete by the fall of 2010, and at that time the hope is to also have the project unveiled—complete with an arched glass-and-steel structure housing nearly 200 stainless-steel flowers that will sway in the entryway. Even though the aforementioned calming sounds will be drowned out by trains from time to time, could this all make commuters less tense? You know, as long as there are no mockingbird sounds?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on July 6, 2009 4:59 PM

Comments [rss]

infotron1000

Why spend money to produce the sound of running water when people on the platform are always getting splashed by run-off water at that station? It's kinda loud too. I should be an MTA consultant.

Rfive

Bring back the graffiti and don't fund anymore "art".

whitecastlerock

Fare increases and this bullshit will be blamed on Albany's inability to adequately fund the MTA... They have to raise fares!!! They simply must-FUCK THE MTA

jibbly

Another thing that would make me less tense? When subway stations don't become waterfalls when it rains...or even long after it rains.

There's been a leaking pipe that's been dumping water for weeks in the 34th Street station on the Brooklyn Bound B/D/F platform. At first everyone thought it was rain run off, but it's been going on and on and on, non-stop.

FIX BROKEN STATIONS BEFORE WASTING MONEY ON ART INSTALLATIONS PLEASE.

Cautious Pessimist

You know what would make me less tense? Having the trains actually run on time without 200 people in each car, causing me to have to wait for 2-3 trains to come by during rush hour.

But this is the MTA, so fuck it, let's just throw up some pretty flowers and call it a day.

ides_of_march

More proof that living in the city causes insanity. You don't see people living in the country piping the sounds of screeching subway train into peaceful wooded areas.