Play Me, I'm Yours!

Has anyone noticed that around the city for the past couple of weeks there have been random pianos just sitting out in the middle of parks and plazas with big signs on them reading, "Play me, I'm yours!"?

That one above is one of the pianos nearest to us, just a few blocks away in Greeley Square. As it turns out, the pianos are an art installation by Luke Jerram called (betcha can't guess!) Play Me, I'm Yours.

The idea is that there are 60 pianos spread throughout the city, open to anyone who wants to play them. Performers I've seen range from the amateur teenage tourist tickled at the idea of performing for an impromptu crowd to my professional accompianist friend who has made it her mission to play on as many of these pianos as she can (so far, she's at 21 pianos!).

I guess the artwork's intent is to play with the concept of ownership of public space and engage strangers in an artistic interaction that they might otherwise miss out on. Personally, I just think it's a blast to be walking through my neighborhood and come across strains of ragtime, pop music, or some Bach, depending on what fancy strikes and which random performer takes the stage.

Today is the last day to see the pianos and the performers, so make sure to stop and say hi if you see one. I could totally get behind these pianos being a permanent thing, I've really enjoyed them being here. Though I've never been the biggest art buff, I love all of the large-scale art installations that New York has to offer -- I just wrote about the subway station instrument, for one, not to mention the famous Gates project, the New York City waterfalls, and so many more.

What art installation has come into your life and did you like the experience?

New York Secrets

One of my favorite things about living in New York is that, no matter how many times you walk down the same city block, take the same subway train from the same subway station, or buy your milk from the same corner deli, there's always something new to see.

The 34th Street/Herald Square subway station is the closest to our apartment, so naturally, it's one of the stations that I visit most frequently. It wasn't until we'd been living here for about a year, though, that I noticed the big green rectangular racks hanging between the signs that say which way the train is headed.

(Photo Credit)

Anyone who thinks to reach a hand way up above his or her head (okay, maybe it's just me, I'm short!) and set off the motion sensors will be rewarded with a loud musical note that sings in the hustle and bustle of the station. And every time I reach my hand up there and "play" a note, people turn and stare because they had no idea that the green "instrument" was even there. And there's another one on the opposite side of the station, too!

(Photo Credit)

It's apparently all an art installation by Christopher Janney called, "REACH: New York, An Urban Musical Instrument" and has been there since 1996, largely unnoticed from what I can see. Its creator intended for it to be an interaction among strangers on the platform who would play the notes together.

But no one ever plays with me! So all you readers out there have to help me spread the word, okay? :)