This new interactive art exhibit brings augmented reality tech to SEPTA trains

Artist Anula Shetty wants people to share those train thoughts with each other. That’s the focus of her current art project, “Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit.”

Shetty is the artist-in-resident for Public Works, a program created by Forman Arts Initiative and Mural Arts to connect artists with government agencies and organizations to create art. Forman, Mural Arts and Shetty partnered with SEPTA to create this public art project, which launched at the beginning of October.

Shetty interviewed SEPTA employees and other Philadelphians — 14 people total — asking what they daydream about while riding public transit. She filmed all of her interviewees on public transportation so it felt like they were traveling with viewers.

The first phase of this exhibit was a video projection display at the Oculus, an underground room at City Hall Station the first two weekends of this month. Shetty had five projections on the walls and one aimed at the domed ceiling of the space showing videos of the people she interviewed for the project as well as imagery from the perspective of riding on a train and looking out the window.

The next phase of this project are graphics featuring the people Shetty interviewed for the project and QR codes. Scanning the QR codes will take SEPTA riders to a video interview of the person in the graphic. Some of these images are already up on SEPTA trains, and will remain there until November.

Often when riders sit on the train, they are scrolling on their phone. Shetty said she wanted to create an opportunity for people to experience others’ stories while doing so.

“So that was my initial thought — how can we use these phones, one that people already have, but then have an experience that will reveal something or show them a different perspective?” she said.

These images will be displayed on the Broad Street Line, on digital board screens on Regional Rail lines, and on the Girard Avenue trolley lines.

Shetty said she has been exploring incorporating technology such as augmented reality and virtual reality into her art for the last decade.

“I was really interested in augmented reality as a way to tell community stories” Shetty said.  “Because for me, with augmented reality, there’s something really magical about it, because you’re adding another layer to what already exists.

The last phase of the project invites members of the public to submit their own daydream stories. Kiosks will be placed around the city where people can get printed versions of Shetty’s interviews or stories submitted by Philadelphians.

These kiosks will be at the Philadelphia International Airport, Jefferson Station, Suburban Station, SEPTA headquarters and Parkway Central Library. This next phase is being kicked off at a panel on Oct. 23 where Shetty will discuss the project.

“Helping to bring art and transit together is just one way we strive to create an environment that is safe, inspiring, and beautiful,” SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards said in a written statement about “Philly Daydreams.” “We are honored to be part of this public art project and are so excited for our customers to see this impressive display.”

It’s easy to think about SEPTA and public transportation negatively, but it plays an important role in many Philadelphians’ lives, Shetty said. She wants people to connect through that shared experience — specifically, she wants people to feel inspired to interact with each other on the train.

“For me, daydreaming is this very special moment. I began every interview by asking people what do you daydream about when you travel on public transit,” Shetty said. “It was wonderful, how it resonated for everyone, the theme of daydreaming, and I think it’s really powerful to see how it connects all the stories.”

Sarah Huffman is a 2022-2024 corps member for Report for America, an initiative of The Groundtruth Project that pairs young journalists with local newsrooms. This position is supported by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism.