Guest photographer: Jenni . Taken 11:10 am 20 January 2009
My friend Jenni has been visiting Sydney. Yesterday she went to the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay, and happened across this fellow and his 3 mates playing the piano in celebration of the impending Barack Obama inauguration.
It's Sydney Festival time, and 30 pianos have been placed in Sydney and Parramatta in places as diverse as swimming pools, on a Manly ferry and in a tattoo parlour. See here.
Street Pianos is a project best described from its website. Lots of pics to see there!
" Street pianos are appearing in cities across the world. Located in skate parks, industrial estates, laundrettes, precincts, bus shelters and train stations, outside pubs and football grounds, the pianos are for any member of the public to enjoy and claim ownership of.
Who plays them and how long they remain is up to each community. The pianos act as sculptural, musical, blank canvases that become a reflection of the communities they are embedded into. Many pianos are personalised and decorated.
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.
The first pianos appeared in March 2008 when 15 pianos were placed into the streets of Birmingham UK. This website - www.streetpianos.com - was made for the public to post their comments about the pianos and describe their use. The site has helped document each piano's journey whilst connecting the street pianos and their communities across the city.
'Play Me, I'm Yours' is an arts project by Luke Jerram: www.lukejerram.com"
These pianos are great, I've found 3 so far (Cook & Phillip Park, QVB, Sydney Hospital) and have enjoyed a couple of impromptu concerts.
ReplyDeleteThey really achieve what Jerram set out to do: bring people together. I have found two: Centennial Park & Chippendale. I would have found the one installed in Victoria Park but baulked at paying the entry fee to the pool just to photograph the piano. Thought I would leave that up to you, Sal.
ReplyDeleteHa Julie, you know Sally well. Pools "R" her!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful wonderful idea. You've gotta love people who come up with them and implement them.
This is brilliant, endearing, fun, I need more words for my enthusiasm.
And Sally ah, your seaside photos of the past few days!!! An absolute joy!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the swimming and think of me from time to time, will you?
What fun! This is the first I've heard of it. Our rain and humidity would soon ruin them Here I think.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea/event you've told us about. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous idea, leaving these pianos out for people to play. Isn't it amazing that the election of one person can mean so much to so many people. We hope your enthusiasm isn't in vain.
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ReplyDeleteWhat a cool concept!
ReplyDeleteI noticed there is no platform or floor board for the piano to sit on. Won't the wheels under the piano sink into the ground and track in dirt to the house later on?
BTW, I love the outfit, t-shirt, Hawaiian shorts, flip-flops and a cool straw hat. Wish I would look that cool in that outfit.
What a wonderful idea! I only wish I knew how to play.
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful idea ... lots better than the Cow Parade and its variations
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic idea.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your post of swimming at Bermagui.
You have a lovely post - I'll be sure to visit often.
Nancy
San Diego, CA
USA
What a wonderful thing to have happening in our city of Sydney. I just hope people respect the pianos and don't damage or grafiti them.
ReplyDeleteSure Obama would like this piano play as a gift
ReplyDeleteFantastic idea. Great way to celebrate and connect.
ReplyDeleteI love the street piano idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Kudos to the minds behind this one. And thanks for being so excited about our new President. It is really the beginning of our journey back. A long and hard road, to be sure, but worthwhile journeys often are.
ReplyDeleteThe piano I've seen is outside Market City / Paddy's Markets, down at Haymarket.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome idea! It makes me wish I knew how to play the piano...
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