In the past week thousands of colorful messages have bloomed across the subway walls of Union Square Station in New York City. A project called “Subway Therapy” is asking commuters and visitors-alike to share what’s on their mind... a socially artful effort to relieve election-related stress and perhaps strike up a healthy conversation with the person beside you.
Take Part in the Therapy Wall
As a New Yorker I pass by this therapy-wall every day. I’ve been in complete awe of it as it continues to grow and surpass expectations of community participation and (most importantly) bipartisan conversation. As an experiment, I thought it would be fun to extend this participation to the Steemit Community. So, to my fellow internet neighbors - if you feel motivated to do so…
Please share a post-it sized message of your own in the comment section below this post.
I will hand-write the top 10 upvoted messages below and add them to the real wall in Union Square.
I'll share a picture of your messages in place in Union Square. (By Wednesday, November 23rd)
I think this will be an exciting way to engage with a living-breathing art project in New York City, while tapping into an even broader scope of emotions and reactions. I hope that some of these messages resonate with you… or at the very least, spark a new conversation. Here are a few images I took while passing through Union Square this past weekend...
A Little Bit About The Place
The “14th Street - Union Square” Subway Station is the fourth busiest transportation hub in all of New York City. There are nine different train lines hosted in this portal to the Manhattan underground. In this place, upwards of 35 million people are transported around the city each year. This is a unique crossing and shoulder-brushing of people from all five boroughs of New York, of all classes, races, religions and orientations. Even with its frantic movement, you cannot escape the reality of diversity in voices and faces of those surrounding you.
This past year has been an exhaustive one for Americans all across the country. Regardless of your party or preferences, the election has taken an incredible toll on all of us. The artist who began this project over a week ago, Matthew “Levee” Chavez said “Subway Therapy is about making people smile, laugh, and feel less stress. If someone wants to get something off their chest or has a burning question, I'm happy to be there for them. I believe that people grow and learn through dynamic conversation.” (source)
I look forward to your thoughts, reactions and new impressions on the wall. Thank you!
Follow me @voronoi to continue the conversation :)
