Train of Thought Relational Public art & Participatory Design Train of Thought is a relational public art project sited in the space between departure and arrival. Our project consists of a Train of Thought ticket that poses the question,“Where do you wish this train were going?” This question, constructed using the subjunctive mood, sparks speculation, imagination, and wishful thinking. It aims to activate the liminal nature of train travel by transforming it into a space where any destination, literal or metaphorical, could be possible.This project was done in collaboration with Julia Zimring MA ‘23 Brown University.
On December 5, 2021, we distributed over 100 Train of Thought tickets on the Providence/Stoughton commuter rail. We conversed with the passengers who responded to our question in a variety of ways, some with humor, others with sincerity.
In many ways, the ticket became a conduit for conversation. The dialogue and the relationships that emerged through the process became the art, itself.
We collected and shared the travelers’ responses via our Train of Thought Instagram page. In some cases, we documented their responses in the moment by photographing the participant. In other circumstances, participants desired more time to consider their response. Using the QR code on the back of the ticket, these participants direct messaged their response to our Instagram.