'Play Me, I'm Yours' Project to Arrive in Mesa

Play Me, I'm Yours, an international touring artwork devised by British artist Luke Jerram, will be presented by Mesa Arts Center February 27, 2016 - April 9, 2016. This project has been produced in 49 cities in seven years, but never before in Arizona. For six weeks the pianos, transformed by artists into works of art, will live in public spaces available for the community to play and enjoy.

This free exhibition is an inviting public art installation that will encourage public engagement through art, performance and music 24/7. When the project launches, more than 20 playable and artistically enhanced pianos will be featured, primarily in Downtown Mesa along Main Street, near Mesa museums and libraries, on Mesa Arts Center's campus and at numerous other accessible and open-to-the-public locations, including several satellite locations throughout the city.

"This project celebrates the creative spirit of our community, inviting passersby to engage with, perform with, and observe the pianos in an unlikely environment - the streets of our city. We are thrilled to bring this wildly creative project to Mesa, and to be able to involve so many different people in making it happen," said Cindy Ornstein, Arts and Culture Director, City of Mesa.

Pianos for the project will be acquired through a donation campaign now taking place through Mesa Arts Center. The donated pianos will be transformed into works of art through artist-community group collaborations. Donors in prior Play Me, I'm Yours cities have expressed the gratification they received from contributing to the success of such an amazing community project. Those wishing to contribute a piano to the project are encouraged to contact streetpianos@mesaartscenter.com.

Street Pianos Mesa is also seeking proposals from artists. Selected artists will work closely with local community groups to design and transform the pianos into works of art that inspire and engage the public as well as enhance and enliven the urban setting. Artists interested in submitting a proposal should visit www.mesaartscenter.com for more information.

The project has been installed in cities across the globe, including New York, London, Chicago, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Paris and London, bearing the simple instruction 'Play me, I'm Yours.' Touring internationally since 2008, the project has reached over eight million people worldwide with over 1400 pianos. The installation in Mesa will be its Arizona premiere.

www.streetpianos.com

The pianos will be celebrated at a public launch event on Saturday, February 27. Details to be announced at a later date.

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