Street piano
A street piano is a piano placed in the street which passers-by are encouraged to play. The best known examples is the Play Me, I'm Yours project by artist Luke Jerram. The concept originates quite by accident in Sheffield, England.
The Street Piano in Sheffield
In Sheffield, The Street Piano was a piano on the pavement on Sharrow Vale Road. It was originally left outside temporarily because the owner could not get it up the steps into his new house. As a social experiment the owner and a friend then attached a sign inviting passers by to play the piano for free. This offer was taken up by a great many people and the piano became a part of the local community. It has so far survived for over a year, including being stolen and subsequently replaced by a newer model (having 4–5 separate volunteers willing to provide a new one). [citation needed]
It became the center of a local campaign once the council decided it constituted an abandoned item, and the campaign to save it spread quickly to local news outlets, and several articles on Indymedia. As of July 2006 a spokesman said in an interview for the National BBC Radio 4 that the piano was no longer under threat of removal.
Play Me, I'm Yours
Artist Luke Jerram installed street pianos in various cities. The project intended to challenge the prohibition of playing music in public places without special arrangement. It prompted members of the public to use the piano, regardless of skill and popularity. Typically, a musician would have been stopped from playing outside the City of London and Sing London festival.[citation needed]
Birmingham
In 2007, artist Luke Jerram installed 15 street pianos throughout Birmingham, United Kingdom, for the public to play. In just three weeks, 140,000 people across the city played, listened and connected with one another.[citation needed]
Jerram said "Questioning the rules and ownership of public space 'Play Me I'm yours' is a provocation, inviting the public to engage with, activate and take ownership of their urban environment."
São Paulo
Thirteen pianos have been installed in São Paulo.[1] Luke Jerram reported that many of those who stopped at the pianos had never played a real piano or even seen one.[1]
Sydney
Thirty street pianos were set up across Sydney for the Sydney Festival 2009. A website was set up for the public to upload and share their films, photographs and stories of the pianos being played.
London
In June and July, 2009, thirty Play Me, I'm Yours-painted pianos were installed across London for members of the public to play. The painting on each piano was chosen to suit its location.[2] The project was produced by Sing London and City of London Festival[2] at a cost of £14,000.[3] A music license had to be obtained for the location of each piano.[3]
Bristol
Fifteen street pianos were located in and around Bristol in September 2009.[4]
References
- ^ a b Nash, Bill (June 28, 2009). "Keys to the cities: Artist's piano project widens worldwide". Ventura County Star. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
- ^ a b "Art project puts pianos on street". BBC News. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
- ^ a b Lyall, Sarah (July 10, 2009). "All Around London, an Invitation to Make Music". New york times. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
- ^ http://www.streetpianos.com/bristol2009/