AMOROUS MUSINGS

In an experiment backed by Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, and by the national lottery, 31 pianos are to be plonked around the capital to encourage people to gather for a singsong with strangers.

They will be placed at prominent sites such as the British Library, the Natural History Museum, the Bank of England and Tate Britain. Each will be decorated by an artist with an appropriate motif – the one outside the Bank will be painted with money, one on Carnaby Street will be adorned with bright 1960s-style swirls and one in Portobello Road market will feature fruit and veg.

- The Times, Jack Grimston

I think this is going to be truly fantastic - I love the idea of placing experiential musical instruments throughout cities to encourage participation and unplanned outburts of song/dance/performance.

I also love the idea of providing a stage to non-professional musicians to just have fun and have people enjoy the music.

Can’t wait to hear about how this all turns out.

I remember being a bit frightened of what would happen to London’s great emphasis on public art/culture when Boris Johnson took over as Mayor- but he’s proving to be a great supporter.

(PS - A full-time tuner will be travelling among the sites to ensure that the pianos are in good playing order the duration of the project!)