Metro Bus
Seat Fabric
Beep’ Inc (Pae White, artist and Tom Marble), artists
Representing the first permanent art project for a Metro vehicle/bus, the seat fabric installed in the Articulated and 45’ Compo buses has been designed by Beep’Inc., the collaborative team of artist Pae White and architect Tom Marble. The buses are the newest and most futuristic designs added to the Metro fleet and currently serve the Metro Orange Line and Metro Rapid. Future buses may appear on new Metro Express lines and some Metro Local lines. This project received significant Section 5307 implementation funds (Federal Transportation Enhancement Grant).
The seat fabric design weaves together symbols derived from transit passes of the past (especially the 1930’s and 1940’s) and is designed to deter vandalism. Beep’ Inc. was originally selected to join the Metro Rapid design team and participate in the design development of this new service. As part of this broader project they chose to transform the customer environment by the design of vibrantly colored and cushioned seats.
“I am interested in how a shift through the presence of an art element, subtle or otherwise, can alter, if only briefly, the way we perceive a common situation. Perhaps the art aspect can re-define this “everyday” experience.” -Pae White