News / Arts
Play Me I’m Yours returns to Bristol
Luke Jerram’s world-famous street piano project Play Me I’m Yours hits Bristol next week with the simple aim of spreading some musical joy.
Whether it be a chance meeting of strangers, a conversation starter, an impromptu performance, creative collaborations, or discovery of untapped talent, the ivories of these brightly coloured fixtures promise to be the makers of many a special moment this summer.
Now, it’s up to players, performers and people on the street to use their creativity, share the love and bring a smile to faces of passers-by.
is needed now More than ever
Communities and individuals are encouraged to embrace the potential to come together around the pianos
It was ten years ago that the Bristol artist first launched his ambitious bid to flood city streets with music and the project has now seen more than 1,700 pianos in 55 locations across the globe, reaching more than 10 million people.
Also the brains behind the Park Street waterslide, Luke came up with the idea in a launderette, where he observed sitting people in silent monotony and set out to “inspire the hundreds of invisible communities that there must be in a city”.
Bearing the simple inscription ‘Play Me I’m Yours’, the installations have since played an instrumental role in creating millions of unique stories and moments worldwide.
Luke (pictured in Times Square, New York City) has reached a global audience with his project
Marking its 10th anniversary with a return to Luke’s hometown, his enthusiasm for the project is undiminished as he calls on individuals and communities to seize the chance to be inventive and embrace the project in their own way.
“We all need cheering up,” he told Bristol24/7 in an exclusive interview earlier this year, when he announced plans to Crowdfund to raise the £40,000 needed to run the project.
“Creativity is what gives Bristol its uniqueness and its edge.”
The musical trail will run from August 17 – September 7, taking in familiar Bristol sites, including At-Bristol, Paintworks, St George’s Bristol, St Nicks Market, The Bearpit, The Galleries, Wapping Wharf, Cribbs Causeway, Windmill Hill City Farm, Knowle West Media Centre and many more.
“We have tried to design a trail that takes in popular Bristol spots, well-known musical destinations, as well as places in the wider community, where we have had the funding to do so,” says Luke.
“We wanted to showcase the vibrant creative flair this city has to offer and also its incredible diversity.
“From impromptu performances by bands, solo artists and choirs of all genres, the pianos will be for everyone to use and enjoy. We can’t wait to see how the trail unfolds.
“Everyone can programme their own events around the pianos and you can keep an eye on our website to hear the latest plans. Do you fancy cycling from piano to piano to perform on all of them? Maybe you’d like to organise a late night gig, dance event, or plan to discover the pianos with family or friends? It’s up to you.”
The pianos have generated many a special moment in cities across the world. Photo by Cambridge Claude Schneider Photography
This is the first time the project has been funded through the sponsorship of individual pianos. Arts Council England has provided match-funding as part of a national scheme to encourage wider funding of the arts.
The sponsors of the project, who have made it a reality for Bristol are: At-Bristol Science Centre; Paintworks; Brunel’s SS Great Britain; St George’s Bristol; Tobacco Factory; The Broadmead BID; The Galleries Shopping Centre; The Mall at Cribbs Causeway; University of Bristol; Urban Creation and Wapping Wharf.
Once the three-week project is finished, some pianos will remain in the public domain and others will be donated to organisations, including schools and youth centres.
Bristolians can hit the piano trail from August 17
Check www.streetpianos.com/bristol2017 for details on when you can access the pianos, and for a map showing their locations.
During the project, you can share your stories, photos and videos via www.streetpianos.com and on social media, Facebook (@bristolstreetpianos), Twitter (@streetpianos) and Instagram by searching streetpianos, using the hashtag #bristolstreetpianos.
Read more: Pianos to return to Bristol’s streets
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