From South Bank to Shorncliffe, twenty elaborately decorated pianos have been hidden, in parks, streets and piers. Brisbane, this is the real world ‘Where’s Wally’ you’ve been waiting for.
Part of an internationally touring artwork, devised by British artist Luke Jerram, the experience has been operating since 2008, with legs including Chile, Japan, China, Switzerland, Wales, and Germany just last year alone. Now it’s Australia’s turn, and where else but Queensland.
“The idea for ‘Play Me, I’m Yours’ came from visiting my local launderette, I saw the same people there each weekend and yet no one talked to one another. I suddenly realised that within a city, there must be hundreds of these invisible communities, regularly spending time with one another in silence,” Jerram noted.
“Placing a piano into the space was my solution to this problem, acting as a catalyst for conversation and changing the dynamics of a space. Where people have met for the first time around the pianos, the project has led to several marriages around the world.”
‘Play Me, I’m Yours.’
Photo sourced from Queensland Music Festival.
This event is the perfect opportunity to engage a new generation of music lovers, with parents being just one target demographic of the project. It provides a wonderful experience for families and friends to disconnect from the world of technology, and get out and explore their city.
Presented as part of the programme for the Queensland Music Festival, locals are invited to hunt down each of these exciting street pianos, tinker on the keys and discover the beautiful landscapes. An online, interactive map, has been set up on the festival’s website to help explorer’s on their treasure hunt.
Since its inception, Queensland Music Festival has grown from a small festival of music to over 800 live cultural experiences in 2019. By geography, length, participation and attendance, this is the largest live music festival in the world.
This year marks its 20th anniversary, and throughout July music lovers can enjoy large outdoor opera events, bespoke concerts, world premieres and various global projects.
So what are you waiting for – it’s time to go find them! Hit the right keys and share your experience with #PMIYBNE.
‘Play Me, I’m Yours.’
Photo sourced from Queensland Music Festival.
For more information about the festival line up, or to begin your adventure in hunting the pianos, visit https://www.qmf.org.au
