Planning Issues In Depth

Santa Barbarbarian’s Tickled with New Public Art Installations: Pianos on State

Pianos decorate State Street for New Noise Festival

By Nick C. Tonkin · November 4, 2011, The Daily Sound

The New Noise Festival, in conjunction with First Thursdays and several non-profits, has place donated pianos on every block of downtown State Street.

The concept is simple. There’s a piano, painted by a local artist, people can sit down and play whatever they like. No sign ups required (some locations have performances scheduled).

In front of a piano with the words, “Truth Wisdom For Everyone,” painted on the front, Julie Briscoe plays a tune alongside her 19-month-old daughter, Brook. Brook can push the keys well for someone still using a stroller.

“She sees a piano and she always wants to play with it,” Briscoe said.

Briscoe said the projects important because pianos, being large, heavy, and often expensive, aren’t the most accessible instrument for casual players.

“People don’t just go and buy one unless they’re planning on playing it on their own,” Briscoe said. “So it’s nice for people who’ve never been exposed to have the opportunity to do this.”

Some players just remember old lessons. Will Freeland, a Montecito Bank employee, only recalls two tunes, but he said it’s fun to sit down at the decorated piano during his lunch break to see how much he can remember.

He used to be in a jazz choir in his younger days and performing outside had always been a favorite activity. He’s still a fan of street musicians and considers sidewalk performers an integral part of State Street’s character.

“It’s a fun part of Santa Barbara,” Freeland said.

The pianos also attract their share of aspiring musicians. Illan Moreno, normally a guitarist, sits at a Paseo Nuevo piano carefully singing a piece he wrote himself. Moreno, unaware of the half-dozen tourists that have stopped to take his photo, said the pianos are great for anyone who just wants to play.

“It lets people express themselves and let other people know who they are,” Moreno said.

For some musicians, it’s already paid off. A small crowd formed around Susan Marie Reeves and her daughter Sierraat and a gray piano at the Figueroa Street intersection. They’d just been out to grab some coffee at French Press.

But Sierra’s playing caught the attention of a Jeanine’s employee. The employee went to the manager, who offered to let the duoplay the café later.

“It’s awesome,” Reeves said about the project. “We’ve already got a gig.”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 at 11:11 pm and is filed under: Urban Design.