5 Interactive Musical Installations

Public art installations are a great strategy for rejuvenating public spaces and connecting with the public in a fun way. There are different approaches a city can take to connect with its citizens, and one approach that has gained prominence in recent years is music. Here are five interactive public art installations that have flooded many ears with the sound of music. 

1) Play Me, I’m Yours

Play Me, I’m Yours began in 2008 when 15 pianos were installed across the city of Birmingham, UK for three weeks. Street pianos are designed to engage with the public by inviting anyone, experienced musician or novice, to try their hand at the piano. They also provide a rare opportunity for musicians to share their creativity by performing to the public. Since 2008, the project has toured internationally. In 2010, Play Me, I’m Yours appeared in New York City. The installation of 60 pianos across the five boroughs was spearheaded by the New York-based nonprofit arts group Sing for Hope.

Image via Wall Street Journal

2) Piano Stairs

In 2009, Volkswagen converted a set of stairs into black and white piano keys inside the Odenplan subway station in Stockholm, Sweden. The initiative is part of a marketing campaign called the Fun Theory, which is based on the idea that the easiest way to change people’s behavior is through fun.  The piano staircase in Stockholm quickly gained attention for its effectiveness, and has been replicated around the world, including in Auckland, Melbourne, Stockholm, Milan, Istanbul, and Colombia. 

3) 21 Swings

Each spring, 21 multicolored swings are placed throughout Montreal’s entertainment and cultural district, Quartier des Spectacles. Each seat is a musical instrument that plays prerecorded sounds while people swing. The more people that swing, the more melodies that form, turning the installation into a giant collective instrument where people achieve more when they work together. 

4) The Kendall Band

The Kendall Band is an installation in the Kendall Station, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that consists of three interactive instruments. To play you need to pull one of the handles, located on either the inbound or outbound subway platform wall. The installation, created between 1986 and 1988, is part of the “Arts on the Line” program - the first program in the nation to incorporate art into public transportation systems.

Image via Cambridge Day

5) ‘Pulse of the City’

‘Pulse of the City’ is an innovative project located in Christopher Columbus Park, in Boston, which utilizes the concept of measuring people’s heart rates to create brief musical compositions. The installation is a solar-powered unit in the shape of a heart with handles on either side. The unit emits white light to attract passerby and creates the musical composition when someone holds the handlebars – a very distinct experience when compared to listening to your heartbeat through a series of beeps and lines on a chart. 

 

A new musical project has been proposed in New York City by musician James Murphy (former LCD Soundsystem frontman) to turn the beeping sound that occurs each time you swipe your MetroCard at a turnstile, into a pleasant note that harmonizes with other turnstiles. You can learn more about the project here, and if you like the idea, sign their petition to help make it happen!

Guest Blogger Maria Chernaya is an urban planner based in Brooklyn. 

Round Up: Low Cost, High Impact Tools to Address Common Issues

You don't need a big budget to make a noticeable impact in your commercial district. Here are a few tools that are easy and inexpensive to buy/download/DIY that help to address common problems.

The problem: There's a vacant storefront or lot that has become an eyesore OR You want to solicit community input for a new development, or retail attraction program, but aren't sure how.

The solution: Neighborland's "I want _ in my neighborhood" stickers, or templates for mobile whiteboards to collect input in public space. Buy the stickers from their website ($0.35/each) and team up with the owner of a vacant site. It will draw attention to the space (a plus for the owner) and give you/potential retailers a sense of what people in the neighborhood want.

The problem: You have so many great attractions and amenities in your district, but not everyone knows about them, or how to get from one to the next.

The solution: Walk Your City's Sign Builder lets you design your own wayfinding system to make your community more walkable, and help visitors get from place to place. Using their online system - you design it, they print it, you install it.

The problem: You have empty tree pits, a vacant lot, or other spaces that could use a little greening.

The solution:Guerrilla Gardening.org shows you where to buy and how to make your own seed bombs to green your district or beautify vacant sites.

The problem: You've got some underutilized spaces that could be great - if only people had a reason to be in them.

The solution: Red Swing Project hangs swings in public spaces to "inspire playfulness" around the world. Download the free how-to manual on the website to make your own swing.

The problem: You want to do so many fun projects and you don't know where to start.

The solution: Betterblock.org has information on projects that communities are doing all over the country - from temporary bike lanes to pop-up stores, as well as a series of questions to help focus your efforts when planning how you are going to make a better block.

Author Kristen Wilke is a Project Manager at Larisa Ortiz Associates.

Roundup: Everyday Facades

Facade improvement programs are a great way to spruce up a district when funds are fairly limited. Below are three examples of facade improvements for "everyday" businesses that aren't typically filed under best practices when it comes to facades....an autobody shop, a corner bodega, and a dry cleaners. With a little TLC, anything is possible.

Facade #1: The Autobody Shop - Can you spot the autobody shop? It's the one with the art hanging in the window!
Auto body shops are not typically a use you welcome on a lively commercial district...but when you can't do much about it, this kind of facade treatment can make a difference.

A facade improvement supported by People's Emergency Center (PEC) in Philadelphia, PA

Facade #2: The Corner Convenience Store - Corner bodegas where I'm from are usually covered in posters with limited visual appeal. This bodega in Boston got facade support from the Boston Redevelopment Authority and now serves both new and old residents alike.

Don Quojote Market in Boston - a great example of how technical assistance and design support can help a long-time tenant weather changes in neighborhood demographics.

Facade #3: The Dry Cleaner - What I love about this facade improvement is the fact that they moved the tailor right in front of the window. Not only does the facade look nice, but this entertainment feature is visually interesting to pedestrians as well.

Bridge Cleaners in downtown Brooklyn, NY

Roundup: Ideas for Downtown Marketing

There is never a shortage of creative ideas for downtown marketing and events...

Franklin Tennessee's "Downtown Tour of the Arts" is a monthly "open house" where art lovers are invited to check out interesting art and enjoy a free glass of wine and modest appetizer. For more information on the program:
["Franklin offers first Friday art crawl", The Tennessean, 8/30/11]

"Wine Walk & Shop" along Miracle Mile in Miami
Select shops on Miracle Mile serve guests a variety of light summer wines and offer special pricing on merchandise.The first 100 guests to purchase tickets receive exclusive event gift bags and complimentary valet parking, sponsored by the BID. For more information on the program:
["Wine Walk & Shop on The Mile set for September", The Miami Herald, 8/31/11]

 Bergenfield, New Jersey's "Bergenfield Bucks" Program sponsored by the Bergenfield Special Improvement District (BSID) awards  “Bergenfield Bucks” Gift Certificates, good at participating businesses located in the district as a strategy to drive visitors to downtown. For more information on the program:
["SID says Big Bucks promotion went well", NorthJersey.com, 9/1/11]
["Bergenfield Bucks", gobergenfield.com, 7/11/09]

Roundup: Commercial Districts in the News, February 28, 2011

Art on First aims at luring tourists to downtown Napa, North Bay Business Journal
Numerous hotels and storefronts, along with the tourism improvement district are presenting the program as a means to keep downtown Napa and surrounding areas a tourist attraction, with activities that will draw more visitors to the city itself.

Cities consider forming a tourism special district, Ventura County Star
The partnership among the three cities would create a Tourism Business Improvement District where hotels, motels and RV parks would be assessed 1.5 percent of their total room rental revenue. The five-year assessment is expected to bring in about $1.2 million annually.

Dorchester free parking scheme set for long stay, Dorset Echo
A town in England has experimented with a parking voucher system that provides two hours of free parking for shoppers who at least spend £10 (approximately $16 dollars). The parking scheme has been hailed as a "runaway success".

Coke Gets the Mall, Pepsi Gets Downtown, Washington City Paper
PepsiCo is working with the Downtown Business Improvement District and the D.C. Department of Public Works to start a recycling program involving something called a "Dream Machine.

Sprinkles Gives Local Businesses a Sneak Peek, Patch.com
A small business in the Georgetown Business Improvement District plays 'good neighbor' by offering local businesses a baker's dozen of free cupcakes before opening it's doors to the public. Nice idea!

Round-Up: Outdoor Eating



As the next winter storm fast approaches, I dream of outdoor dining in warm weather. Perhaps now is the time to help some of your eating establishments think through simple ways to provide outdoor eating and boost their sales to boot! Here are a few examples for inspiration!

  

Beacon, NY



Montague Street, Brooklyn, NY




East Village, NY, NY



Grand Rapids, MI

Great Barrington, MA

Kingston, NY







Roundup: Sandwich Signs

Love 'em or hate 'em (in New York City they nearly banned them after a blind man tripped over an ill placed sign), sandwich signs are a tried and true method of attracting customers. They can be used in place of blade signs to catch pedestrian/motorist's attention. Eye-catching sandwich signs are an effective (when legal, of course!) way to draw customers into a store. Here are some examples of sandwich signs across the nation (Chicago, Grand Rapids, Queens and Brooklyn). I tend to think that simple chalk sandwich signs are the best solution, but for the more ambitious, creative painted signs really provide a 'wow' factor. But like all things, too much of a good thing can also result in visual clutter...as shown in one of the images below.

Roundup: Sidewalk Cafes

Like many urban planners, I often find myself taking pictures of what others consider mundane, like street signage, street lights, garbage cans, banners, sandwich signs, etc. By now I've amassed quite a library from my work and personal travel and thought I would begin sharing some of the good, the bad...and of course, the ugly. I'll call these 'Roundups'. For this Roundup, I've chosen some nice sidewalk cafes. Can anyone guess where these are?