A STREET OUT OF CONTEXT

Despite serving traffics with paved linear surfaces, bridges are rarely considered 'street' in urban-life discussions. Indeed, we often attribute the cultural and social characteristics of streets to their immediate contexts: buildings, open spaces, and people approaching from these surroundings. On the other hand, can traffics themselves make a street out of context? Can cities make meaningful contexts when segregated by water? In addition to moving forward, are there urban lives happening on a bridge?

This photo set comes from my observations on the Longfellow Bridge that connects Boston and Cambridge. The bridge represents a cold transportation machine with solid concrete supporting multiple traffic forms and metal barriers dividing them apart. Given its lifeless characteristics and blank surroundings, I could still sense a street through people who move, pause, and stay on the bridge. Someone walking or riding toward me would show brief greetings with smiles and gestures; someone would stand still facing Boston's night view while focusing on his phone; some would lean on the rails while talking to friends. Occasionally I could see an empty bottle, a can, or a food box lying on the railing tops, where my imagination brings me to the night before when someone had a joyful or painful time eating or drinking on this spot.

Streets are made by stories of people. As long as the chances for moving, pausing, and staying present, a street would happen.