Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit
Anula Shetty filmed interviews with SEPTA riders and bus and trolley operators, as well as with poets like Ursula Rucker, local business owners like YOWIE founder Shannon Maldonado, activists, and other cultural leaders, including Street Dept’s Conrad Benner around the theme of “daydreaming in transit. The interviews are meant to encourage connections following the isolating effects of COVID-19 and to celebrate the collective nature of public transportation.
For these interviews, Shetty created a series of photographs around themes of commuting and daydreaming in Philadelphia transit. The photography featuring portraits of riders and transit-related landscapes lines the areas above the windows in many of Philadelphia’s trains, buses, and trolleys, serving as the launchpad for Philly Daydreams’s augmented reality.
“Ken” for Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit, courtesy of Anula Shetty.
“Harry” for Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit, courtesy of Anula Shetty.
“Ursula” for Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit, courtesy of Anula Shetty.
“Karen” for Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit, courtesy of Anula Shetty.
“Emilio” for Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit, courtesy of Anula Shetty.
“Donte” for Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit, courtesy of Anula Shetty.
“Benita” for Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit, courtesy of Anula Shetty.
“Jazz” for Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit, courtesy of Anula Shetty.
“Tracy” for Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit, courtesy of Anula Shetty.
“Conrad” for Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit, courtesy of Anula Shetty.
“Shaily” for Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit, courtesy of Anula Shetty.
“Lovey” for Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit, courtesy of Anula Shetty.
“Catzie” for Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit, courtesy of Anula Shetty.
“Iris” for Philly Daydreams: Stories in Transit, courtesy of Anula Shetty.
