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This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email transcripts@nytimes.com with any questions.

Well we’re standing on the High Line. It’s a ton of people going by, and we’re carrying two folding chairs, a table, and sign, a sign that says draw together. It just takes one minute.

I’m Wendy McNaughton. I’m an artist. I’m a graphic journalist, and I’m trained as a social worker. I ask people who don’t know each other to sit down and look at each other.

A draw together strangers thing where I’m asking strangers, people who have never met each other before to sit across the table and draw each other for 60 seconds except —

I’ve done it in several different cities and different locations, so in San Francisco, downtown in Golden Gate Park. I went to downtown Los Angeles, also in New York City in Washington Square Park in the High Line.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

My whole premise of my work is that drawing is looking and looking is loving. And I can talk for half an hour on a stage or whatever about it, but if I give somebody the opportunity for one minute to do it, they actually experience it. And I think that’s how people can change so —

People are — if you ask somebody would you do this, they’d say no. But once you give somebody the opportunity to sit down and connect with somebody like this, it’s almost like people are craving it.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

So recently when we set it up on the side of the walkway of the High Line so there was plenty of space for people to walk by but it was close enough that folks got curious about what was going on. Hold on. Let’s see. Hi. Can I interest any of you in drawing?

And after setting up, I just go into circus barker mode.

Oh. Oh. 60 seconds.

That positive attitude might be a little bit contagious. I can get people to come and sit down.

Can I grab you for 60 seconds? I love it! Have a seat.

All different sorts of people end up sitting across from each other. Sometimes people are from different places.

I say what’s your name.

Angelica.

And where are you from?

Poland.

Right on. And what’s your name?

Danny.

Danny, where are you from?

Aziz. I’m from Kuwait.

Great. OK.

Here’s one example where —

Jeffrey, nice to meet you, Jeffrey. Hey. My name’s Wendy. What’s your name?

Juana.

Juana? Nice to meet you. Shake hands?

There was a young girl — she was probably 11 or 12 years old — and she was drawing with a man who I’m not sure maybe he was in his late 40s or 50s.

Ready? Two rules. First rule, you’re never allowed to lift your pen up off the paper. You are going to draw one continuous line. One continuous line. Rule number two, you can never ever look down at the paper you’re drawing on.

No.

Now look up at each other. You’re just going to do it for 60 seconds. Choose where you’re going to start on your partner’s face. Take a deep breath in —

Can’t look down.

Nope. I’ll see you do it, and I’ll call you out. Breathe out and begin drawing. 3, 2, 1, start.

They drew for 60 seconds, and then I asked them how that experience was for them.

3, 2, 1. Stop and look down at your masterpieces please.

[GROANING]

[LAUGHING]

Let’s see. Oh my gosh, they’re so great! Oh, they’re fantastic. Can you please lift them up and show each other your gorgeous........

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