A. C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village is participating in a public art project called, ‘Play Me, I’m Yours,’ coordinated by the Salem Chamber Orchestra. The original idea was first launched in Birmingham, England in 2008 by British artist, Luke Jerram. Since then, street pianos have been found from London to São Paulo and Sidney to Barcelona, as they dot urban landscapes around the world.
The concept is to provide a large scale public artwork that reaches a diverse audience. In Salem, Oregon, pianos have been decorated by 11 area organizations, including A. C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village.
Children that visited the museum between July 2 and July 12 helped decorate the piano with colorful erector set pieces. The Village chose erector set pieces in honor of A. C. Gilbert, the namesake of Discovery Village and inventor of the Erector Set in 1913.
The finished piano is now on the Union Street walking bridge. Anyone that passes by may play a tune as they sit above the Willamette River. The 11 pianos will be displayed in public spaces throughout Salem until July 29.
Piano locations and participating Salem organizations:
Keizer City Hall - Boys & Girls Club
Kroc Community Center - Kroc Community Center
Veterans of Foreign Wars - Ceili of the Valley Society
Union Street Pedestrian Bridge – A. C. Gilbert's Discovery Village
Downtown, Chemeketa & Liberty Streets - Culture Shock Community Project
Salem Conference Center - Salem Public Arts Commission
Bush's Pasture Park - Salem Art Association
Minto Brown Island Park (dog park area) - Willamette Humane Society
Capitol Mall - HOME Youth & Resource Center
Lancaster Mall - KMUZ Community Radio
Brian Johnston City Park - Artists in Action
For specific details on the ‘Play Me, I’m Yours’ project visit www.salemstreetpianos.com.
