Pop-Up Pianos Infiltrate Art Basel

@PopUpPianoMIA

​If you happened to visit New York City last summer, you might have seen the street pianos, painted by New York artists, that popped up on the streets, free for all to play. The project, inspired by artist Luke Jerram and overseen by arts group Sing for Hope, inspired spin-off versions in cities nationwide. Now, the pop-up piano trend has come to Miami, just in time for Art Basel. And as much as we hate taking New York's sloppy seconds, we have to admit these public pianos are pretty cool.


Steinway Piano Gallery of Miami has supplied the pianos, which are set up in 11 locations around South Beach, Wynwood, the Design District, downtown, Brickell and Key Biscayne. To the average guy, these would just be musical instruments. But to local artists like Miguel Paredes, Lebo and Krave, they're 3-D canvases that happen to make music. Each has turned the piano into an interactive work of art -- anyone can just stroll up, take a seat, and pound out their best version of "Chopsticks."

Well, most of the time, anyway. Pop-Up Piano Miami has also recruited local musicians to perform using the pianos throughout Basel weekend. The launch party for the project takes place tonight at Louis at the Gansevoort, featuring the Jacob Jeffries Band playing on a piano designed by Lebo. Performances by Brendan O'Hara, Suenalo, Raffa and Rainer and Afrobeta are on the schedule, too.

Visit Pop-Up Piano Miami for a map of the piano locations, a schedule of performances, and more.


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