Commuters left baffled by seat artwork on Tube
MICHAEL LANDY’S WORK HAS BEEN ON ‘DISPLAY’ FOR 11 YEARS ON LINE
IT is amazing how many pieces of artwork we see when travelling on the London Underground, but we often pass by them without realising.
Yet one day, probably while staring into space, we suddenly notice something we see almost everyday and think ‘that’s interesting.’
Well, it seems that 11 years after being introduced to the Tube network, artist Michael Landy’s moquette artwork is finally grabbing peoples’ attention.
His depiction of four red stick men appearing to be holding up two large rings between them alongside the words ‘Self’ and ‘Other’ can be found printed on train seats on the Central Line.
The peculiar design has left many London Underground commuters guessing what it might possibly mean.
Judging by the answers of commuters responding to a popular thread on Reddit, it is probably safe to say no one really knows.
“If you or others have donuts – don’t keep them to self – feed conjoined twins,” one person guessed.
Others claimed the design represented games that people used to play on the Tube in the past.
One said: “Back in the day we used to pass a beef wellington all the way along the carriages on cold evenings. Everyone had to either stick a fiver into the pastry or top up the communal gravy from their gravy pouch.
“Better times. Shame the old traditions have died.”
Another self-styled London Underground historian had another explanation.
They said: “Back in the olden times, commuters amused themselves on the slower trains by tossing small, bakelite rings across the aisle and down the carriage.
“Early rings, before the invention of bakelite, were made of light wood.
“Those who could pass the ring with the most complex route would receive a prize – the applause and pocket change of the losing side.”
Meanwhile, another Redditor argued that the design symbolised something a little deeper in meaning.
They said: “The Other and the Self are philosophical ideas.”
Elaborating, they continued: “Basically, the Other is that guy or group you often cast out and the Self is you and your essence. When you invite the Other into your circle you gain a greater understanding of the Other. Interpreting this, it seems they are saying it’ll enhance your sense of Self too.”
On the other hand, some Redditors provided much simpler explanations for the design. “It’s just a distraction technique to stop you thinking about how utterly filthy and disgusting the seats are,” one person suggested.
Another person said: “I guess if the point of art is to get people to imagine something then it’s succeeded, but yeah that is quite unsatisfying. Enjoying reading everyone’s alternative ideas though.”
We asked Transport for London if they could provide their own explanation for the artwork that had seemingly left so many Londoners baffled.
A TfL spokesperson said: “The moquette artwork by artist Michael Landy was one TfL commissioned under the Art on the Underground programme back in 2011.”
The artist had been asked to produce artwork for a project called Acts of Kindness for the Central Line based on the stories of kindness experienced by customers and staff travelling on the Tube.
According to the TfL website, the design actually depicts a real-life story about a time when passengers on a Tube carriage ‘made a young boy smile as they passed round his large helium balloon in a gentle relay race.’
That probably would not have been anyone’s first guess, but hopefully commuters can now sleep peacefully at night.
Saying that, social distancing on trains is still advised when possible.