Around the 7 Train
7 Train, "International Express," in Queens. Elevated route above Roosevelt Ave shapes the area. In 2012, I walked from LIC to Flushing, then explored the line. Street life was vibrant, a visual tapestry. I observed the landscape around the 7 train, like a job focused on experience.
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The 7 Train, often called the "International Express," traverses the most diverse neighborhoods in Queens, New York City. Much of its route is elevated, most notably above Roosevelt Avenue, a major commercial corridor. This elevated structure significantly shapes the borough's landscape and geography.
The project began in 2012, after moving to Astoria. On a day off from work, I decided to walk the length of the 7 train, from Long Island City (LIC) to Flushing. The initial walk led to several more during the first six months of 2013. I would get on at 52nd St station, right by my apartment, and ride for a few stops before disembarking to walk along the line and surrounding blocks.
I was intrigued by the varied perspectives from both on and around the elevated stations. The street was alive with people running errands, socializing, simply going about their day. It became an ambient visual soundtrack—a tapestry of colors and shifting perspectives. After a few hours, I'd get back on the train and head home, as if returning from a job where my sole objective was to observe and experience the landscape around the 7 train.
