Ten O'Clock News; Kendall Station

[band music] [Reporter] Things were hardly high tech at Kendall Square today. It was more like a circus. And the cause of celebration looks like this. [band music] Believe it or not you are in a subway station, though it sure doesn't look like one. It doesn't even smell like one, but most of all it doesn't sound like one. Not quite like an ordinary subway stop. [Matisse] That's great, that's really amazing. [bells] You like the sound? [Reporter] Meet Paul Matisse. That's right, Matisse. He's the grandson of the master and he created the sound and sight that makes this station special. His sculpture is called The Kendall Band. It's a 50-foot row of musical chimes that can be activated by anyone

waiting on either side of the platform. Sort of a subway symphony, all at the haul of a handle. [Matisse] But you really have to look at the bars to swing-- [Reporter] You were at Harvard in the '50s and MIT in the '70s. Do you have memories of Kendall station? [Matisse] Well, it wasn't the fanciest railway space, as you can remember. It was very dark and drab. Yes, as a matter of fact even when I went to/came here to design the piece I was quite shocked at the drabness and plainness of the place. [Reporter] But Kendall station is drab no more. Part of an 80 million dollar improvement program, it's bigger, better, and brighter. [Subway rider 1] This looks sort of like a circus. This has a lot of light and a lot of visual interest. [Subway rider 2] Clean. [Subway rider 3] Contemporary. [Subway worker] What's it like to work here? It's a pleasure to work here, compared to the old station. [Subway rider 4] It's nice. The last time I been here, it was a mess. You couldn't walk here. [Reporter] And now? [Subway rider 4] Beautiful. [Reporter] I am wondering if you noticed that sculpture. [Subway rider 4] No (laugh), no I didn't. [Reporter] What do you think of it? [Subway rider 4] I'm trying to figure it out. [Matisse] Because the subway station is usually such a horrendous aural experience when the subway train comes by, this sculpture is for the silences in between. I probably shouldn't say it, but I should hope that every once in awhile there will be a delay in the passage of trains to really allow you to enjoy it. [bells] [Reporter] For the 10 O'Clock News, I'm Hope Kelly.