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David Byrne Turns Building Into Musical Instrument That You Can 'Play'

by Tim Stevens on May 13, 2008 at 11:44 AM

David Byrne Creating a Musical Building

Former Talking Heads front-man David Byrne has always been a bit experimental in his artistic leanings, especially in his solo work (both musical and non). His latest project in New York City, though, takes experimental music to an entirely new scale, turning an entire building into a giant musical instrument that anyone can try for free.

The building is the Battery Maritime Building in New York City, a former ferry terminal built in 1909. It has been filled with devices that tap on girders or blow wind through heating and water pipes so that they act as organ pipes. Everything is connected to an old pump organ with keys lets anybody play a tune on the building.

The installation is called, naturally, "Playing the Building" and is a follow-up to a similar installation in Stockholm in 2005. The opening reception is coming up on May 31, and the exhibition will be open (and free) to all through August 10. [Source: David Byrne.com, via Wired]

Tags: breaking news, BreakingNews, david byrne, DavidByrne, music, musical instruments, MusicalInstruments, playing the building, PlayingTheBuilding, talking heads, TalkingHeads, weird

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