Towards the end of this month, if you are walking the streets of Boston, you might notice piano music resinating through the streets as a result of the cities latest public art exhibit. Beginning September 27, the Celebrity Series of Boston will kick off their 75th season by dispatching 75 pianos throughout the city as part of the area’s “Play me, I’m Yours” exhibition.
“Play me, I’m Yours” originated in 2008 by British artist Luke Jerram and has been installed in 36 countries around the world. In Boston, similar to many of the other cities that have hosted the installation, local artists have been selected to design and decorate the various pianos before being installed. Once installed, Celebrity Series has scheduled some organized concerts, but beyond those times, the pianos are for public use. Jerram’s vision is that the pianos will “provoke people into engaging, activating and claiming ownership of their urban landscape.” The pianos provide individuals with an instrument which is not always accessible and will allow individuals to share their creativity with the public.
I look forward to seeing the specific locations that are chosen for the pianos and what effect the music has on the public’s interaction with each other as well as the surrounding urban fabric. I feel that participatory art such as this installation, always seem to be the strongest public art installations as it engages the public and empowers them to be one of the artists while enhancing the sense of community.
Street Pianos will run September 27 – October 14. For more information, visit Celebrity Series and Street Pianos.
