OK, North Hollywood. If you’ve asked yourself: “What’s that piano doing there in front of El Portal Theatre across from the Federal Bar on Lankershim and Magnolia?” The NoHo Arts District dot Com team has the answer.

It’s public art, NoHo style…a mix of the visual and performing arts!

The North Hollywood piano is part of the Play Me, I’m Yours public arts project by British artist Luke Jerram that has been touring internationally since 2008. For three weeks beginning April 12, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) brings Play Me, I’m Yours public art installation to various locations in Los Angeles, including the NoHo Arts District, hosted at El Portal Theatre. Thirty pianos, designed and decorated by local artists and community organizations, and are available for everyone to play, in celebration of acclaimed conductor and pianist Jeffrey Kahane’s 15th anniversary as the LACO music director. Visit laco.org to learn more about Jeffrey and the Orchestra.

‘The idea for Play Me, I’m Yours came from visiting my local launderette. I saw the same people there each weekend and yet no one talked to one another. I suddenly realised that within a city, there must be hundreds of these invisible communities, regularly spending time with one another in silence. Placing a piano into the space was my solution to this problem, acting as a catalyst for conversation and changing the dynamics of a space.’ - Luke Jerram, creator of Play Me, I’m Yours

Three weeks of art in North Hollywood and throughout Los Angeles is the product of more than eight months of planning and contributions from a cadre of artists, LACO staff, funders and site hosts. LACO conceived of the Los Angeles installation of Play Me, I’m Yours as the perfect tribute to music director Jeffrey Kahane who celebrated 15 years with the orchestra this season. The project expresses Kahane’s maxim that music belongs to everyone and its creation should be enjoyed by the general public in their communities, not just in the concert hall.

Pianos were procured from across the county through the assistance of Hollywood Piano Company and the LACO team selected the 30 artists, including muralist Kent Twitchell, Chicano artist Frank Romero, graffiti artist Man One and composer/pianist Timothy Andres. The NoHo Arts District piano was designed by artist Oscar Magallanes.

To see all the pianos, meet the 30 artists and see where they are, visit http://www.streetpianosLA.

Make sure you stop by Lankershim and Weddington to play a few notes on the NoHo piano. Take a quick video or snap a shot and we’ll post it to our Facebook wall!

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