Manhattan, NY; June 2010
I can’t help myself – when I see a piano, I want to play with it. I say with because my rudimentary skills mean that I am not really playing the piano, just fooling around. I can peck out part of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy with my right hand and that’s about all.
It seems I am not alone. Sing for Hope, a non-profit organization that describes itself as a Peace Corps for artists, is currently running an art installation in New York. There are 45 pianos around New York – 24 in Manhattan, 8 in Brooklyn, 5 in Queens and 4 each in the Bronx and Staten Island. The brightly painted pianos are in streets and parks and plazas and are free for the public to come and play.
I had vaguely heard about this but came across it quite by accident. After the end of the TBEX travel blogging conference last weekend, Alison Brick, Amy from The Q Family Adventures and I went off to try to see the new Highline, a park that has been made from a disused elevated railway line in the Meatpacking district in the Lower West Side. Unfortunately the Highline was closed because of the Gay Pride march earlier that day. We wandered around and then randomly came across this piano in Gansevoort Plaza.
I shot this video of a guy playing Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles. He was good enough to say I was welcome to put it on my blog. I think he was pretty good, especially considering the fact half the keys didn’t work. Of course he was followed by a tourist busting out ye olde Chopsticks! I hope you enjoy my video and if you do, please consider rating it on YouTube and leaving a comment. Thanks!
It was such a great experience!! I love it even though we didn’t get to go on the Highline I still had a blast. Thank you for letting me tag along.
Amy @ The Q Family´s last [type] ..Bangkok with Kids- Climbing the Golden Mount at Wat Saket
Nice post and video. I remember passing this piano on the way to the subway…but it was someone different playing. Great meeting you at TBEX
My Mélange´s last [type] ..Travel Photo Friday – Rome’s Colosseum by Night
I’ve seen lots of public art installations like painted animal statues, but I really like the interactive element of this public art installation
Dominique´s last [type] ..Photo Friday-Along the trail to Michigans Canyon Falls
I wish I’d had more time to go around New York when I was there in May. Loved the video, nice work!
Darren Cronian´s last [type] ..Minoan Palace of Knossos
Fantastic! Terence is the same – sees a piano, has to play it. We’ve just arrived in #NYC but haven’t seen any pianos yet. I’ll have to investigate & see if they’re still around.
I think the installation was due to end on July 5, unfortunately. – Caitlin.
lara dunston´s last [type] ..Grantourismo Travel Blogging Competition- July
We had this in Sydney for the last Festival of Sydney as well – it’s amazing what some people can just sit down and belt out – lots of fun…
What a great idea. Hang around long enough and you never know who might sit down and knock out a tune!
Bytes´s last [type] ..Great Deals on Flights From The UK
Great vid, Cait. and I loved your voice-over. This art installation was updated daily on my local NY news. Great fun, and some wonderful talent, too! So glad you enjoyed your time in the city! Next time, I’m hopeful you can stay a bit longer and linger.
I love the thought of inspired bursts of music across the city (though not the Chopsticks!). Great to see in person and again now. Thanks for capturing it on video!