By: Arunima Paul, Calista Lee, Kristen Song, Siya Gupta
Our project emulates a day in the life of a typical New Yorker and the average sounds they would hear as they venture through the city. The first sound we present to the audience is the card swipe, as passing through the turnstile marks the start of the day for many. Then, the wait for the train is accompanied by music performed by various musicians; we incorporated this to allow people to see New York from a different perspective. Most see NY as a city full of loud, abrasive noises like traffic and yelling, but we tend to forget how the city is full of humanity and liveliness. Music, ranging across all genres and languages, decorates New York City’s streets. One has to simply pass a subway station or a street corner to hear some of NY’s loveliest voices busking their heart out. Riding from 23rd to 68th, you might hear everything from the happy strums of Spanish guitar to the vibrato of classic violin. Following the subway rides, our project showcases an individual getting brunch at their favorite restaurant while catching up with their friends. Later, they decide to bring some excitement by attending a party to sing the most notable songs at the top of their lungs. However, being a city that holds so many possibilities and uncertainties, we pictured the party being interrupted by the sound of the sirens. This transitions into the serene violin performance heard on the subway ride home because, despite this brief mishap, the busy lives of New Yorkers must continue. The individual carries on their life and spends the rest of the night reflecting on their day as the sound of children playing, the creaking swing, and the tranquil chirping of the crickets wrap up the day.
