about the work
Thought Train is an animated series of messages – silent whispers passing through time. The pulsing messages move from clearly representational to abstract coded patterns in a metaphorical representation of the way we articulate unconnected thoughts in relationship to travel or moving. Experienced by travellers transiting Wynyard Station, Thought Train broadly references the thematic platforms of Time, Travel and Place in a series of interconnected sequences leading from one thought to another, creating an endless loop.
Wynscreen is a 23-metre wide curved LED screen showing a constantly changing series of moving images created by Australian sound and installation artists using contemporary digital technology in their art practices. Situated within Wynyard Walk at the Clarence Street Entrance to Wynyard Station, Wynscreen is the first major immersive public art project commissioned by Transport for NSW in conjunction with Cultural Capital.
Thought Train comprises eighteen unique sequences that flow between black text on white background to white text on black. Each sequence transitions from text to an interstitial, small breaks or gaps in the continuous thought train. Existing as irregularly timed breaks in time, as liminal zones or mantra-like states.
At any one time the work can simply be experienced as a series of fragments captured, or, as most of the passers-by will be regulars, a conclusion may be found or the work pieced together, unfolding over many visits. There is no beginning or end only the transitory.
Thought Train is a collaboration with Ian Hobbs
artist statement
Exploring a whisper travelling through space; the response of the text upon an imaginary surface; excessive compression and overlay in an attempt to create a solid; a steamy surface works as meme, propagating the surface with dream-like historical memories.
The artwork offers an elegant visual experience, which seamlessly integrates into the body of the space—a heartbeat within wall. The messages are drawn from songs, eavesdropping, train names, one side of a phone conversation and oblique questions. At times the words collect in a meaningful order almost list-like then the next grouping shifts back to a poetic earworm. Individual random thoughts connect; they gather momentum becoming a thought train in a collective brain. Looking for a delicate balance between too much and too little, between understanding and confusion, between a need to know and uncertainty. What are the thoughts going through any one individual mind as it transits through the tunnel at Wynyard?
text variations
1. “ARE THERE ANY DOGS IN YOUR DREAMS? AM I IN LOVE? WILL YOU BE EXERCISING TODAY? WHO ARE YOUR FRIENDS, AND WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES? IF YOU SAW A LARGE MODEL TRAIN SET AND THE ENGINE ISSUED SMOKE, WOULD YOU SAY “THAT IS COOL” OR JUST BE SILENT ABOUT IT? ARE YOU GOING TO BE HAPPIER IN THE FUTURE? HOW DO YOU SAY WET? WHAT WAS THE WORD FOR FOOT? HAVE YOU BEEN HERE LONG?”];
2. “ALBANY PROGRESS; ALBANY WEEKENDER; THE ALICE; AUSTRALIND; AVONLINK; BRISBANE EXPRESS; BRISBANE LIMITED; BUNBURY BELLE; CANBERRA EXPRESS; CANBERRA MONARO EXPRESS; CAVES EXPRESS; CENTRAL WEST EXPRESS; THE CHIPS; COOMA MAIL; FAR WEST EXPRESS; FEDERAL CITY EXPRESS; THE FISH; THE GHAN; GIPPSLANDER; GOLD COAST MOTORAIL; GRAFTON EXPRESS; THE GULFLANDER; INDIAN PACIFIC; INLANDER”
3. “I’M COMIN’, JUST AT WYNYARD. I’M GONNA BE ‘BOUT TEN MINUTES LATE. JUST ‘BOUT TO CATCH A TRAIN FROM WYNYARD. IS THAT GONNA BE OK WITH YA? OK, I’LL MEET YA THERE AT 7PM. YEP, OK, MMM, MMM, YEP NA YEH. WHERE ’RE YA? I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU…IT’S BEEN SUCH A LONG TIME. IT’S ALL GOOD. I’M GONNA BE ’BOUT TEN MINUTES LATE. IF YOU HAD TO TATTOO YOUR ARM WITH A MESSAGE TO YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD YOU WRITE?” ];
4.THIS IS THE VERY LAST TRAIN…THIS IS THE TRAIN I’M ON…WE WON’T TAKE MONEY, WE’LL LIVE OFF HONEY, WHEN THE TRAIN GOES UNDERGROUND…LET’S TAKE THE TRAIN TO ANYWHERE…I’M GONNA TAKE YOU DOWN TO THE RAILWAY”
5. “IF YOU HAD TO TATTOO YOUR ARM WITH A MESSAGE TO YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD YOU WRITE? HAVE YOU HEARD THE DRYING OF THE LEAVES? HOW DO I LOOK TODAY? WHAT TECHNOLOGY HAS MOST IMPACTED ON YOUR LIFE? WHAT PERIOD OF HISTORY MOST INTERESTS YOU? HOW CAN ONE SPEAK WHAT CANNOT BE SPOKEN? WILL WONDERS NEVER CEASE? IF YOU HAD TO TATTOO YOUR ARM WITH A MESSAGE TO YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD YOU WRITE? HAVE YOU HEARD”
6. “THE SHOPPER; SILVER CITY COMET; SOUTH COAST DAYLIGHT EXPRESS; SOUTHERN AURORA; SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS EXPRESS; SOUTH MAIL; SPIRIT OF PROGRESS; SPIRIT OF QUEENSLAND; SPIRIT OF THE OUTBACK; SPIRIT OF THE TROPICS; THE SUNLANDER; SYDNEY EXPRESS; TASMAN LIMITED; TRANS AUSTRALIAN; VINELANDER; WESTERN MAIL; THE WESTLAND; THE WESTLANDER; THE SHOPPER; SILVER CITY COMET; SOUTH COAST DAYLIGHT EXPRESS; SOUTHERN AURORA; SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS EXPRESS; SOUTH MAIL; SPIRIT OF PROGRESS; SPIRIT OF QUEENSLAND; SPIRIT OF THE OUTBACK; SPIRIT OF THE TROPICS; THE SUNLANDER; SYDNEY EXPRESS; TASMAN LIMITED; TRANS AUSTRALIAN; VINELANDER; WESTERN MAIL; THE WESTLAND; THE WESTLANDER;”
7. “WE WON’T TAKE MONEY, WE’LL LIVE OFF HONEY, WHEN THE TRAIN GOES UNDERGROUND…LET’S TAKE THE TRAIN TO ANYWHERE…I’M GONNA TAKE YOU DOWN TO THE RAILWAY LINE…WE ARE LIKE STRANGERS ON A TRAIN…”
8 “I’M AT WYNYARD. SORRY I’M GONNA BE HALF AN HOUR LATE. I’VE JUST PICKED UP SOME YUMMY DESERT FOR US. HAVE YA CHECKED TO SEE IF THE OTHERS ARE ON TIME? SEE YA THIS ARVO. HOW YA GOIN’? LIKE, HERE’S THE THING, OK. TOO EASY. WHERE ’RE YA?” ];
9. “IF YOU HAD TO TATTOO YOUR ARM WITH A MESSAGE TO YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD YOU WRITE? HAVE YOU HEARD THE DRYING OF THE LEAVES? HOW DO I LOOK TODAY? WHAT TECHNOLOGY HAS MOST IMPACTED ON YOUR LIFE? WHAT PERIOD OF HISTORY MOST INTERESTS YOU? HOW CAN ONE SPEAK WHAT CANNOT BE SPOKEN? WILL WONDERS NEVER CEASE? IF YOU HAD TO TATTOO YOUR ARM WITH A MESSAGE TO YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD YOU WRITE? HAVE YOU HEARD …
credits
Collaborator, Programming, After Effects, Videography: Ian Hobbs Media
Consultant Curatorial Director: Alessio Cavallaro
Project Technical Director: Hai Tran
Project Manager at Cultural Capital: Amanda Jelicich-Kane
Transport for NSW team
Cultural Capital team
Liz O’Reily Studio Assistance
Special thanks to Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers, Missy Higgins and Martin Armiger for permission to use song lyrics and other quotes from inspired writers Edmond Jabès, Margaret West, Gregory Stock, Sei Shonangon and the artist.
