Beyond Noise: Audio-Visual Artist Finds Inspiration in Chicago’s Tran…

When artist Rachel Steele first moved to Chicago, it opened up her world.

“I have epilepsy, so I can’t get a driver’s license,” Steele said. “When I moved to Chicago, I was able to suddenly now get around and be super mobile.”

The sounds of the city weren’t just noise to Steele — they told a story, snippets of conversation and pieces of music and the clatter of the train.

“If we take some time to take out our earphones, we can have some moments of mindfulness and recognize the diversity of things that are around us,” Steele said. “Maybe you might hear something that really surprises you.”

That’s the idea behind the event “Soundpost: Remixing Transit,” an audio-visual installation on display at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on Thursday.

Steele first developed an audio journey around Chicago on CTA buses and trains, ranging from the Loop to Chinatown to Pilsen, mixing sounds she recorded live on public transit and out in neighborhoods with musical…