The idea was to remove all the gum from one three-foot square section of subway platform and replace the dry and blackened gum with freshly chewed pieces put in the exact location of the original gum. The restored panel would simulate a scenario where all the pieces of gum in one area were discarded at the same time rather than individually over many months or years. I thought that the new gum might draw some attention to the old gum in the surrounding squares. I also hoped that the apparition of one “restored” tile with bright pink, red, blue and tan dots might offer a tired commuter a break in the continuity of routine - a chance to get on another line of thought.