Piano 2
Joe Fowler
2016

Free Play May 28 – August 28, 2016.

Commissioned for the exhibition by The Rooms, St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Special to the presentation of Free Play at The Rooms is this fully-functioning, five octave piano by St. John’s artist Joe Fowler. The piano is re-composed here with ordinary, utilitarian materials – rows of light switches. Based on a mass produced 61-key beginner keyboard, players are invited to “switch on” the piano to play notes.

This work mixes design, and the absurd, and draws attention to the potential alternate functions of everyday objects that usually go unnoticed. Fowler makes us see anew objects that are familiar and invite us to contribute to the meaning of his artwork through our own participation.