Come September, if all goes well, the streets of Boston could become filled with the musical melodies played by passersby plopping down in front of random pianos scattered throughout the Hub.
According to an internationally renowned artist with an ear for tunes, the Street Pianos “Play Me, I’m Yours” project has plans to come to the area in September.
The concept is simple: each piano is decorated or painted by local artists, and then the words “Play Me, I’m Yours” are written on the side.
The program then places them in public parks, bus shelters and train stations, or in markets, and pedestrians who spot the instruments are openly invited to sit down, stretch their fingers and play away for the public.
Already, 700 pianos have been installed in 34 cities around the world, including in New York and London.
The concept was coveted by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a friend of Boston’s Mayor Tom Menino, and according to a recent post by “Play Me, I’m Yours,” the next place to put the pianos could be the Hub.
City officials would not comment on the potential to bring the piano project to Boston, because nothing has been set in stone or finalized.
Officials did say, however, that the group has reached out to the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism and Special Events.
“Street Pianos are designed to provoke people into engaging, activating and claiming ownership of their urban landscape,” according to the group’s website.
“Play Me, I’m Yours” creator Luke Jerram said the idea of the project was to take places where people regularly spend time with one another in silence, and change “the dynamics of a space” by adding the pianos.
The creator said it not only revitalizes certain spots in a city but also, “provides access to this wonderful musical instrument and gives musicians the opportunity to share their creativity by performing in public.”
If both the city and the project are in tune, Bostonians could expect to see brightly painted pianos in random places, hopefully bringing the community together to enjoy the talent of others.
