2. Christopher Janney’s Reach (1995) 

Christopher Janney’s Reach (1995)

Beneath the bustling sidewalks of Herald Square, along the platform of the 34th Street N/R subway line, a hidden art installation awaits. A row of ordinary green ducts disguises an immersive auditory experience — Christopher Janney’s 1995 sound installation Reach. Commuters waiting for the train are often surprised by a melody of nature and instrumental sounds that mingle with the noise on the platform, transporting them to another time and place. 

Motion sensors are concealed within the eight “eyes” of the ducts, activating sounds that disrupt the hustle and bustle of the station. Flutes, marimbas, animal calls, and immersive soundscapes evoking far-flung locations like the Everglades or the Amazon rainforest soothe and entertain busy commuters. Each eye vocalizes a different sound, which blends together into an interactive, multilayered symphony. The sounds are updated every year to create an evolving dialogue between the station’s two platforms and between commuters and the urban environment.