From Graffiti-Watching to People-Watching
It’s obvious from our last post that there are other things, besides graffiti, to hold your attention on public transit. People-watching is, perhaps, the most commonly enjoyed sport. Who among us hasn’t stopped to ogle or even capture a picture of a fellow rider while en route? (We sure have: See Photo.) Which brings us to “nyc subways and the people on them.” This commuter-made Tumblr blog is a collection of snapshots taken of unsuspecting subway riders, from eccentric seniors to sneaker-clad teens to unabashed fashionistas, all on their way to who-knows-where. The compilation of everyday images reminds us a lot of the “The Subway Pictures” by Peter Peter. With the same covert eye aimed at the NYC subway, Peter Peter’s photo book captures the communal experience of public transit by highlighting its ever-changing cast of ordinary (and extraordinary) characters. Take a look at the pictures and feel free to share your own!
Summer 2011 | A family looks out the window underground Union Station. (Photo courtesy of Saaret Yoseph)
Summer 2011 | A couple dozes off on the red line metro. (Photo courtesy of Saaret Yoseph)
WATCH: Random Acts of Expression, NYC
Videos have a powerful case of contagion online. If our Red Line D.C. reel is any example, multimedia is a great way to catch and share a glimpse of city life and everyday happenings, here in the capital or elsewhere in the world. In our personal travels across the interweb, we came across a recent YouTube video of a commuter’s experience with public art on the New York City subway. In this case, the unsanctioned art at work was an impromptu jam session (ukulele, included!) between alleged strangers.
The lively back-and-forth between songstress and drummer clearly held the attention of some passengers on the train, including mybs86, the user who posted the video and titled it “never a dull moment on the NYC subway.” Still, not everyone aboard was as impressed. Watch the clip and you’ll notice a couple heads low and a few eyes averting the disruption. Seems a lot like the mixed reviews we got from red line commuters about the graffiti and murals there to distract their ride. Some riders, like mybs86, were enthusiastic fans while others were ambivalent or outright annoyed by the unwelcome expression. Check out the video and tell us where you stand on graffiti, gratuitous concerts and other unsought transit distractions.
