Pianos In The Wild!

Media Release

Pianos In The Wild!

Four upright pianos will be placed in public spaces around Rotorua for up to six weeks for any passer-by to enjoy playing or listening to.

This Rotorua project, inspired by the art installation, “Play Me, I’m Yours” by artist Luke Jarram, follows events in the United Kingdom, the Americas and the Sydney between 2008-2009. The installation piece continues to travel the world.

Jarram’s work set out to question the ownership and rules of public space, and is described as a provocation, inviting the public to engage with, activate and take ownership of their urban environment.

The artist has given the nod to a smaller scale reproduction of the project in Rotorua; a first for New Zealand. Up to 30 pianos have been deposited in public spaces around cities in other parts of the world, usually as part of arts festivals.

Pianos In The Wild! is a collaboration between Pheasant Plucker owner and music aficionado Ivan Purvis and the Rotorua District Council.

“The project has been a while in planning, Ivan has sourced local sponsorship from Speedy Signs and Bunnings, U Drive Truck Rentals, piano expert and tuner Brian Holden; and we have some great locations around the city centre” says Kiri Jarden RDC arts officer.

Pianos have been donated by The Piano Shop in Wellington. The effort to get the instruments here has not been without drama.

“Originally The Piano Shop were dropping them off in December. But a new baby arrived for the owner unexpectedly early. Then there were truck breakdowns in January, leading us to make the journey in February from Rotorua” says Mr. Purvis. “We got to the store just as our truck gave up the ghost. A bigger truck arrived to take ours away for repairs! But obviously we got back in the end, with four uprights of varying vintages”

The pianos are set to go out Friday 26 March and will be located at Jean Batten Square, the City Focus, Eat Street, and the corner of Tutanekai and Arawa Streets.

“Piano players will be circulating on Friday to get the ball rolling. There is a web site being set up by Erwin at Good Websites. You can visit www.pianosinthewild.co.nz. It’s for anyone who would like to upload photo’s or place a blog about their experience with the pianos” says Mr. Purvis.

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