The touring art exhibit "Play me, I'm Yours" has united the talents of artists from around the globe, making its most recent stop in Mesa, where it showcases a wide array of artistic perspectives from Alzheimer patients to college students.
Since the exhibit was installed in the beginning of March, the pianos have had a profound impact on the character of Phoenix's largest suburb. As previously seen in 50 other cities across the globe, the exhibit consists of 24 playable pianos spread out across the city, each one uniquely decorated by local community groups and artists.
The look of each piano varies wildly with each location; some are simple while others are more extravagant. Patients at Oakwood Creative Care, a day center for cognitively impaired seniors, constructed one of the more striking pieces.
Sherri Friend, president and CEO of Oakwood Creative Care, said the piano reflects what the day center strives to accomplish.
“As a society, we often take people with Alzheimer’s disease and just put them aside,” Friend said. “Oakwood believes there’s so much to somebody even if they have Alzheimer’s disease. We create an environment that’s beautiful and allows them to have a voice.”
Located in Morris Plaza near Country Club Drive and Main Street, the piano is combined with bookshelves, mirrors and various other items originally intended to be thrown away before being repurposed for the installation.
Friend said every time she passes a street piano someone is playing it, and that she enjoys how the exhibit brings the community together.
“It takes down the imaginary walls we built up and allows for conversation, community and engagement,” she said. “It’s bringing joy to individuals, that they can share a talent and join together in that moment.”
While not as large and elaborate as some of the other installations, the piano on Benedictine University’s Mesa campus creatively explores the theme of perspective. Designed by fine arts professor Michael Tole with the help of his students, the piano features stretched out images of campus life that can only be properly viewed from a certain angle.
“It’s just this idea of perspective,” Tole said. “If you’re coming at something from the wrong angle, it doesn’t make sense. But as you walk around, all of a sudden at a certain point, if you expect something enough, it becomes clear.”
“Play Me, I’m Yours” is the brainchild of British multidisciplinary artist Luke Jerram, who debuted the exhibit in Birmingham, England in 2008. Since then, more than 1,500 pianos have been installed in 50 cities representing almost every corner of the globe.
The installation is being presented by the Mesa Arts Center in celebration of its 10th anniversary.
Not all the pianos have a specific vision. Acclaimed local artist William Barnhart decided to go with a more abstract route with his piano, located in Mesa Community College’s student lounge.
“I approached the piano the same way that I actually approach my paintings,” Barnhart said. “I approach them with no idea of where it’s going to go.”
He also included a chalkboard on the right side of the piano for those who wish to add their own creative touches.
“Not everyone’s a musician that can play the piano, but everyone can certainly draw something or write something,” he said.
The pianos will be presented until April 9. A map showing the locations of all 24 pianos is displayed on the installation’s website.
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Reach the reporter at idickins@asu.edu or follow @sailormouthed92 on Twitter.
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