Touring internationally since 2008, ‘Play Me, I’m Yours’ is an artwork, by artist Luke Jerram, where street pianos are popping up in cities all over the world. You can stumble upon one of these 167 pianos in parks, bus and train stations, outside galleries, markets and on bridges and ferries in one of 8 different cities worldwide. The pianos are for anyone in the community to play, admire or claim ownership of. The whole point of the installation/experiment is so that each piano acts as a sculptural, musical, blank canvas that becomes a reflection of the communities it is embedded into. Many pianos become personalized or decorated by the community that it sits in.
Jerram says "Questioning the ownership and rules 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." So, go ahead, don't be afraid, when you find one of these street pianos, sit down and leave your mark and make it yours (even if only for the duration of Chopin's Nocturnes).
‘Play Me, I’m Yours’ will soon be presented in: New York City, London, Belfast, Burnley and Blackburn, Cincinnati, San Jose, and Grand Rapids(US).
Photo credit: (top) Sarah Faye Olman, piano spotted in NYC; (bottom) Luke Jerram, NYC Times Square.
what a cool idea!
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