Artist-designed pianos are popping up in public parks throughout Seattle and King County, and people are invited, nay encouraged, to stop and play them. It's all part of an interactive public art project called Pianos in the Parks--which is taking piano art to bizarre new heights and places you never thought the simple instrument could go.
These are definitely pianos with personality--donated by Classic Pianos and lavishly decorated by artists from the Gage Academy of Art. They are on display in 20 public parks and open spaces throughout Seattle, just waiting to be played, from now until August 17.
People are encouraged to make videos of themselves playing the pianos solo, with other instrumentalists, or even a whole band. Torch singers might even be welcome. To enter the Pianos in the Parks Facebook video contest, "like" their Facebook page, and use the hashtag #muralcontest when you upload your video.
The top five 'liked' performances on Facebook will be voted on by a community panel of judges. The winner will perform at a Concert at the Mural presented by KEXP and Seattle Center on Friday, August 22.
Judging from some of the photos, the interactive nature of Pianos in the Parks makes it even more fun than Cows on Parade, the Chicago public art initiative that has been endlessly copied by other cities.
Here is pianist Michael Allen Harrison and visual artist Heather Stadler, after a groovy Pianos in the Parks performance at Pier 62/63:
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