The Play Me, I’m Yours initiative (www.streetpianos.com) involves installing imaginatively decorated pianos in a variety of prominent city centre locations to encourage people to express themselves and interact with each-other.
The brainchild of British artist Luke Jerram, it has reached more than 10 million people worldwide – with more than 1,500 pianos installed in 50 cities across the globe, all bearing the message “Play Me, I’m Yours”.
Aberdeen Inspired is looking for unwanted, old but still playable upright pianos to be donated to the innovative project, although any potential donations wouldfirst need to be assessed before collection by Gordon Bell of Gordon Bell Pianos, who has generously agreed to provide expert musical support.
Gary Craig, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “Play Me, I’m Yours has been incredibly popular all over the world and we are looking forward to introducing it to the Granite City. Piano donations will help in a variety of ways as it will not only enable the project to be successful, but also boost a number of charities as the pianos will eventually be auctioned off.
“It has been incredible to see the level of engagement this initiative has led to in other cities, and how it has brought people together through music. That is something we want to see in Aberdeen. Along with the community engagement this is a great way to utilise and brighten up spaces in the city centre for residents and visitors. This is a project anyone can be involved in, with an open invitation for anyone to enjoy the pianos and try their hand at playing something.”
The exhibition will consist of a minimum of 10 pianos, which will be brightened up and decorated by students at the North East Scotland College. They will then be placed in a range of locations around the city centre available for anyone to tinkle the ivories for two to three weeks this summer.
Once the event is over the pianos will be auctioned off in aid of local city centre charities; Grampian Society for the Blind, British Heart Foundation, Barnardo’s, Befriend a Child and Cancer Research UK.