‘Signal Strength’ Connects Underground Ensemble in Nine Subway Stations

Many of us regard the introduction of Wi-Fi in the New York City subway system as an opportunity to catch up with email during those tedious commutes – at least, at the relatively few stops where connections are working. But artists think differently: Chris Shimojima, a filmmaker, quickly saw that Wi-Fi would allow subway buskers at different stations to be connected, and that there was a potential video project in the resulting interaction.

Mr. Shimojima recruited 11 subway musicians – an eclectic ensemble that included musical saw, theremin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, trumpet, accordion, beatbox and a couple of percussionists – and commissioned Lev Zhurbin, who goes under the name Ljova, to compose a short work for them.

The musicians set up in nine subway stations, with their instruments, music stands, printed scores, and cellphones or computers, through which they had an audio connection with the rest of the ensemble and a two-way visual link with Ljova. Drafted to conduct, Mr. Zhurbin placed a collection of MacBooks on chairs, arranged in an orchestra-like semicircle, in Bryant Park, and led the musicians, seen on each screen, with sweeping gestures as amused passers-by looked on.

Mr. Shimojima’s three-minute film, “Signal Strength” can be seen on YouTube; a more professionally mixed version of the work, also called “Signal Strength,” can be heard on Ljova’s Soundcloud page.