Those New Announcements in the Subway? They’re Art

"If you hear something, free something" - this is the message that commuters in New York will be hearing at 14 MTA stations as part of a new public art project by artist Chloë Bass. The project, titled "Quiet as It's Kept," will use the subway's public announcement system to deliver a series of audio recordings that aim to encourage passengers to take a moment of pause and introspection during their daily commute. The recordings will feature Bass's voice delivering prompts and reflections on topics such as observation, attention, and the shared experience of public transit. The goal is to create a meditative space within the bustling environment of the subway, inviting commuters to "free something" - whether it's their attention, their emotions, or their perspective. This innovative use of the subway's infrastructure as a platform for art showcases the potential for public spaces to become canvases for meaningful artistic interventions that can impact and engage the everyday lives of city dwellers.