Transport for LondonJeremy Deller - What is the city but the people?
A work of art for Tube drivers by Jeremy Deller
A work of art for Tube drivers by Jeremy Deller
Jeremy Deller has been working with Tube drivers and operational staff on the Piccadilly line to produce a new work of art – a booklet of quotes entitled 'What is the city but the people?'
The passport-sized booklet will be given to operational staff on the Piccadilly line from February 2009. Drivers and platform staff will be encouraged to use the quotes in their daily communications with customers – building on the rapport which many already have with their customers and helping to enliven millions of journeys by adding an element of unexpected humour.
'‘What is the city but the people?' aims to generate a more positive atmosphere during peak times. It also encourages the many voices of the Tube’s staff to re-enter the environment of the network, bringing some of the personalities which have made it famous to the forefront once more. Coming from a wide range of philosophical, political and historical sources, the quotes provoke thought on life in the city, especially as heard on the London Underground.
The artwork was introduced to Piccadilly line staff through a series of special book launches hosted by comedian Arthur Smith, well known for his stand-up routines. Smith spent a day travelling with a Piccadilly line driver to experience life behind the scenes on the Tube first-hand, before passing on helpful tips to drivers and station staff on communicating with public audiences.
Jeremy Deller: 'Originally, when asked to think about a project for London Underground (LU), I suggested a day of no announcements on the Underground, but obviously this was not possible, so I came up with the idea to give staff a collection of quotes and the idea grew from there. I often wish announcements were more personal and reflected the realities and absurdities of living and working in a big city. I think the travelling public enjoys some humour and unexpected insight during their journey.'
Phil O’Hare, General Manager of the Piccadilly line: 'This is a great opportunity to add something extra special to the service we provide. We get excellent responses from the public when LU staff personalise their announcements, and my hope is that this project will inspire those who work on the Piccadilly line to engage with customers beyond the artwork, bringing a personal touch back to the forefront of our world-class Tube service.'
Read Arthur Smith's article on the project (PDF 1.41MB) (Arthur Smith, "Why have lines by Seneca and Goethe replaced announcements of delays and 'mind the gap' on the Underground's Piccadilly Line?": The Times, Tuesday 21 July 2009)
Have you heard a quote? – let us know!
If you have heard one of the quotes from the project – please let us know. We will pass all positive comments on to operational staff on the Piccadilly line.
For more information about Art on the Underground, please visit www.tfl.gov.uk/art
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Comments
jeremy-deller-tubeart
Have seen the posters of these on the tube and they've really grabbed my attention. A superb idea and great art direction, some of the best Art on the Underground ads I've seen, really made my morning. You should make the quote book and posters commercially available - and maybe get more of the drivers to read the quotes out. I think London needs to be a bit more philosophical in the mornings.
Anthony Stamp
jeremy-deller-tubeart
I love this idea. It helps us in our daily life. It inspired this quote from. Yogi Amrit Desai You Begin with you You Travel with you You Arrive with you The journey to truth is from the alone to the alone.
Cintra Brown
Heard a quote
I think this is a great project. Unfortunately my regular journey in to work doesn't include the Picadilly line, but I have seen the posters up and think they look fabulous. It would be great to see jpeg of all the posters online, or for them to be made available to buy. I'm a big fan of the design that the Underground produces, keep it up!
Robin
re:jeremy-deller-tubeart
I would also like a copy of this book simply because it would add some increased interest to my journey (if it will increase my chances I'd also like to volunteer for a late night track walk to - one of my fantasies...) I consider the Underground the Lymphatic System of London - an essential circulatory system, often under appreciated that helps cells (us!) get from A to B. Many people only pay it attention when is all goes wrong but for day-to-day runnings (and regularity) the Tube is an excellent space (value-for-money leaves a lot to be desired though that can be said of London's public transport in general). The idea to give drivers the opportunity to personalise the multitude of mundane messages they are required inflict upon the travelling public is an inspired way of helping to reduce the stressful and often monotonous journeys Londoners have to make each day. The most enjoyable rides I have on the Underground are when drivers make little jokes over the tannoy and encourage po-faced passengers to crack a smile or even for the more brave to make eye-contact and laugh with each other. Next to these for enjoyment are the Art installations/displays/performances - WE NEED MORE pictures, poetry, music or beautiful architecture/design on the tube. More posters like the Off To Work (Nylon Uniform) and Vintage/WW2 series, more musicians and installations like those at Gloucester Rd. The Underground structure is already beautiful from an architectural point of view, all it needs is some detail to the paintwork a la columns on the district line platforms at South Kensington (love the flower pots and wrought-iron work there too) at the older stops and uplighting at the newer stations like that of Westminster to highlight the fact. I could (and often do) wax lyrical about the wonderous structure that is the London Underground Network but I shall summarise for those that don't have all day - to enable passengers to get more enjoyment for minimal input encoura
L.Hutson
jeremy-deller-tubeart
Quotes. Driver on the Piccadilly line: "Bing bong. We are now approaching Hammersmith station. Please remember to take your belongings with you when you leave the train. Bing bong." At Acton Town: "What passes for normal service has now resumed on the Piccadilly Line. The next train is due in two minutes."
Mike Bisacre
jeremy-deller-tubeart
I would just like to echo the sentiments of Nat, but from the perspective of a deprived Manchester commuter ;-) It would be great to learn who the publisher of the profound sayings booklet is, to perhaps be able to donate to the cause for a copy.
Ian Ball
jeremy-deller-tubeart
I don't understand why tube announcements cannot be stopped for a day, to be honest there is so much variability between various journeys that I have a hard time believing that there are strict rules on the subject. Often I have been on the tube for 30minutes plus without hearing a single announcment. Other times there is one every minute. The more you repeat something, the less likely people are to pay attention, travelling abroad we realise just how ridiculous the announcments on our tubes have become (indeed even a trip on some overground rail trains illustrates that fact). I suggest some clearer guidelines are made on the subject and the frequency reduced to only those essential announcements.
jeremy-deller-tubeart
I heard the report on this project this morning on Radio 4, what a charming idea! I use the Piccadilly Line to get to and from work each day and now I'm full of anticipation that I might be lucky enough to hear one of these interventions from the staff to brighten up my day. Art is more than decoration which this project proves, it's got something to say. Art on the Underground is really exploring the exciting potential of their unique venue and audience, I can't wait to see what comes next!
Olivia Rickman
jeremy-deller-tubeart
this project looks (and sounds) great! i'm not a driver on the tube, but i wonder i could get a copy of the booklet myself.
Nat Foreman
jeremy-deller-tubeart
I enjoyed the Gandhi quote about speed while hastening on tothe Jubile line at Westminster. I had just been reminded that the French writer Pascal has said "The heart has its reasons which reason does not know ". That's a thought which could accompany anyone's day !
Maureen Green