Hello piano friends!

Denise here, your Play Me, I'm Yours coordinator.

As you may know, Luke Jerram's Play Me, I'm Yours involves taking pianos and placing them around cities in community spaces... and even a few locations where you'd least expect them. The pianos are available for anyone to play and enjoy, and you may even make a few new friends in the process.

As part of the 2010 01SJ Biennial, twenty pianos will be placed in and around downtown San Jose from August 28 - September 22.

We're having a community decorating event on August 14th from noon - 4:00pm at 500 S. 1st Street in downtown San Jose. A crucial element of Play Me, I'm Yours is inviting the community to decorate the pianos before they

I’m sure you are all curious to hear about how the piano decorating day went on August 14th, and I’m proud to say it was a huge success! Approximately 60 people came out to the event!

In my opinion, decorating the pianos is what makes Luke Jerram’s “Play Me, I’m Yours” both a highly approachable and memorable project. Among our participants were members of local artists and community groups, girl scouts, art students, recent college graduates, muralists, graffiti artists, residents of communities that will be hosting street pianos and more.

Hi there, this is Devon, Curatorial Intern for the 2010 01SJ Biennial...

I'm thrilled to announce that in two weeks 01SJ artists will begin to offer many exciting and challenging hands-on workshops. This is a unique opportunity where you can participate in the making of artist's projects while learning new artistic tools for rebuilding the world and a desirable future. Workshops will commence on Saturday, September 5th during South Hall's public hours 11am-7pm and run until the end of the Biennial on Sunday, September, 19th, 2010. Workshops are free and open to the public. A full list of all the workshops with complete details is available here: List of 01SJ Workshops.

01SJ Biennial Artist was highlighted in the New York Art in Review by Roberta Smith. If you are on the East Coast check it out. The Andrew Edlin Gallery has now extended the show until September 3rd. "It presents four artists born after World War II who are largely unknown to New York galleries and museums, although one or two have been glimpsed at the annual Outsider Art Fair."

Read more about Rigo 23, A. C. M., Mansaray, & Volyazlovsk here!

Hello pianos friends, it's Denise here and I'm happy to report that Play Me, I'm Yours is finally here! The project was installed over the weekend, and at each location people immediately gathered around and patiently waited for their turn to play. I received a high five or two during the installation, and even a hug! People love the pianos already, and I couldn't help but smile when I saw their reactions. Each person I spoke with was eager to chat and learn more about the project.

Need to see one of these pianos for yourself? Visit www.01sjpianos.com for the map of locations, and if you happen to spot a street pianist, please take photos or video and upload them to the site!

For those of you who love projection installations, and who in their right mind doesn't, check out Chris Baker talking about his 01SJ Biennial commission at 300 Santana Row, an LEED certified new building.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgt2k3y5KM4[/youtube]

01SJ Artist Zoe Keating did a great interview last week on NPR. If you missed "Women Musicians Seize on Social Media" check it out here. Then make sure you don't miss her performance Into the Trees, Saturday September 18th with Robert Hodgin at 10:30pm.