We used to live in Gloucester, the County capital of the Cotswolds which is an area considered to be quintessentially English. One lunchtime, whilst enjoying a gingerbread latte at my favourite Coffee #1 hangout, all of a sudden I heard a piano playing on the high street. A piano? A real piano? Not a pack-up-and-go sythesizer but a REAL piano, how on earth did a busker transport a real piano??
But it wasn’t a busker, it was an ordinary passer-by who had stopped to play “The Entertainer” on a colourfully painted piano randomly stationed on the street. My curiosity got the better of me and I needed to have a closer look. Upon inspection a plaque invited me to “Tickle my ivories. Have a go at playing this piano decorated by students at Gloucestershire College”.
But it wasn’t a busker, it was an ordinary passer-by who had stopped to play “The Entertainer” on a colourfully painted piano randomly stationed on the street. My curiosity got the better of me and I needed to have a closer look. Upon inspection a plaque invited me to “Tickle my ivories. Have a go at playing this piano decorated by students at Gloucestershire College”.
There are a total of 6 creatively painted pianos dotted around Gloucester centre as part of the SOMAC (Summer of Music, Arts and Culture) Festival organised by “Marketing Gloucester”. Their aim is to raise the city’s profile locally and nationally as a great place to live, work, study and visit. The artistic pianos will be around until the end of August giving people plenty of time to join in on the “Piano trail”; every-day people are welcome to have a go!
All pianos started out as the ordinary brown wooden type and were kindly donated from homes and companies throughout the Country. They were transported to Gloucestershire College where they took on a new lease of life – and suddenly, these plain old pianos were spruced up and painted in an array of colours allowing the students’ creative flair to shine through for all to admire. Personally, I love this idea!! I love that a project has taken something “ordinary” and turned it into a piece of art – I guess the marketing has worked on me!
All pianos are located away from residential areas and are locked after 5pm each evening to ensure budding out-of-key musicians aren’t arrested for disturbing the peace (only joking, it is to ensure people aren’t disturbed).
What I love about this idea, is how it brings strangers together. I watched as two people who had never spoken before jointly attempted to replicate a famous piece that required two people. Apparently, this isn’t the first time this has been witnessed! They were reminiscing of their piano-playing days, laughing and joking, it was lovely to watch. As I took my photographs, I witnessed all walks of life tinkering, from young children to the older generation.
Who would have thought that something so simple could bring people together? But then again, that’s generally what music does isn’t it!
All pianos started out as the ordinary brown wooden type and were kindly donated from homes and companies throughout the Country. They were transported to Gloucestershire College where they took on a new lease of life – and suddenly, these plain old pianos were spruced up and painted in an array of colours allowing the students’ creative flair to shine through for all to admire. Personally, I love this idea!! I love that a project has taken something “ordinary” and turned it into a piece of art – I guess the marketing has worked on me!
All pianos are located away from residential areas and are locked after 5pm each evening to ensure budding out-of-key musicians aren’t arrested for disturbing the peace (only joking, it is to ensure people aren’t disturbed).
What I love about this idea, is how it brings strangers together. I watched as two people who had never spoken before jointly attempted to replicate a famous piece that required two people. Apparently, this isn’t the first time this has been witnessed! They were reminiscing of their piano-playing days, laughing and joking, it was lovely to watch. As I took my photographs, I witnessed all walks of life tinkering, from young children to the older generation.
Who would have thought that something so simple could bring people together? But then again, that’s generally what music does isn’t it!
Music can really bring people together! Two strangers joined together here to play "Chopsticks"
I telephoned Marketing Gloucester purely because I was being lazy and wanted to know all the piano locations. I had a wonderful chat with them and I was told of so many lovely stories of the pianos being played, including one of a gentleman who sat down and started to play, even though he hadn’t done so for years. It appears that all their hard work and aim is paying off – to inspire and to bring art, culture and most of all people together.
Have you been impressed by an art project like this? Get in touch and let me know!
Northgate Street:
Have you been impressed by an art project like this? Get in touch and let me know!
Northgate Street:
Southgate Street:
Eastgate Street:
Westgate Street:
|
|
King's Walk Shopping Centre:
Market Parade:
A selection of some of the street art painted for the SOMAC festival displayed in the City Centre.
One last photo ... Gloucester's most iconic attraction - the Cathedral! I spend lunch breaks on a sunny day with this view - not bad huh!
If you like this ... Pin it!
This post is part of a link-up in #TheWeeklyPostcard and #WeekendWanderlust. Feel free to click on the pictures below to read other fabulous travel blogs - perfect for more inspiration!
|
|
