10 Redesigned Pianos – Creativity in Sight and Sound

Piano give off a sense of stability, certainty and reliability. The most unpredictable aspect of this sometimes-imposing instrument is the wonderful sound it produces. But creativity can’t be contained, and creative minds are always finding new ways to surprise us. We look at a few pianos who’s appearances – not the sound the produce – would be the biggest surprise should you come across them. Chichi, The Rocking Piano First introduced within Designersblock for the London Design Festival in 2007, ‘Chichi’ was designed to give the player more than a normal piano could – the ability to rock back and forth while playing. Chichi is a beautiful and whimsical piece which rocks you gently as you tinkle her (I think she’s a girl) silver keys. Inspired by a sense of liberation that was awakened in Sarah at the Milan Furniture Fair, Chichi is her way of putting the soul back into design and communicating the value of making dreams happen. I love how the piece pushes the boundaries of traditional design with a subtlety and softness that makes her quirkiness seem graceful and her rebellion romantic. She’s very seductive is that Chichi." Via Davenport Interiors The Lyra Flugel Popular in the first quarter of the 19th Century, the Lyra Flugel was designed to serve three purposes: make music, save space and decorate the room. With its strings stretched upwards instead of horizontally, it has the shape of a stylized lyre. The Boganyi Those who have played it compare the tone of the Boganyi to ‘hovering above gravity’. Its sleek Gothamesque look has earned it the name ‘Batpiano’. Gergely Boganyi spent 8,000 hours working on it, so it’s only fair it bear his name. AKA the Bat piano, or “a cross between an art deco sculpture and something out of Star Trek” Hungarian pianist Gergely Bóganyi launched his update on the piano form earlier this year in Budapest. Via The Guardian The Piano and Violin House In Huainan, China, any passing giant can try to their hands on this house-sized instrument. On three legs with a partially raised lid it looks ready to be played, even if the architect hasn’t quite managed to recreate the right keys of the chromatic scale, or put all those strings and hammers across the living room. Probably… Via The Guardian The Circular Piano Principal Health Care’s circular piano: sociable, yes, but pretty difficult to play solo unless you happen to be octodextrous. Via The Guardian The Piano Tree A living installation by artist Jeff Mifflin, the Piano Tree was set in a forested area just off the Disc Golf Course at the California State University. He took an old stage piano and after some careful sawing made it look as if the ancient tree was growing out of the upright piano. As part of its natural process, the tree continued to grow, parting the timber. Unfortunately, it’s incredible story came to an end when a drunkard smashed it up. This tragic yet beautiful instrument could [...]

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