Despite the city’s fame for being a heaven for alcohol lovers – which I have no dispute on – I found something quite fascinating about how public spaces are used, and how there was a dynamic and vastly different atmosphere to an outsider like me.
Street Piano
In Prague, it is not uncommon for you to come across something like this: a lonely piano in the streets, with perfect conditions to be played and a nice little chair kindly put in the front – or course chained to the piano so you cannot take it away for sneaky reasons. It is a static beauty in the swarm of people current flushing by. Sunshine as dressing, wind as anthem, making you stop by to ponder on what it is.
I was so fascinated, so are many.
Recently, a policeman in Prague played an excerpt from “Yiruma – River Flows in You”, thus bringing these street pianos into spotlight.
It turned out that this is a project named “Piána na ulici” (Street Pianos), initiated by a couple of enthusiasts who seek to make cities more special and lively places. There are pianos randomly placed in public areas, in perfect condition and ready to be played.
The mastermind behind the project, Ondrej Kobza, is a quirky and well known personality in the Prague underground community, as well as a popular bar owner, and he says that this project is changing the face of Prague’s social scene.
The sound of piano interacts with the dynamic environment of the streets, and especially how it can create interesting magic effect with the traffic. I happened to walk past this man playing. I could not detect which piece of music he is playing, but it was flowing smoothly, calm but has an underlying pulse. With the people walking past him, in normal footstep, it somehow created an implicit interaction. People would unconsciously simulate their footsteps towards the one played by the music, or stop to taste the musicality, like me and Martin(friend).
This concept is increasingly gaining momentum inside Czech Republic and beyond. A similar project, or artwork Play Me, I’m Yours by British artist Luke Jerram has reached over 10 million people worldwide – more than 1,500 pianos have already been installed in over 50 cities across the globe, from London to New York, bearing the simple instruction Play Me, I’m Yours. This sort of project encourages the public to engage with, activate, and take ownership of their urban environment – which we gradually deem as not part of OUR space.
I feel awesome. It calls for us to reclaim the idea that public spaces are to be enjoyed by all, instead of a cold, senseless, dull space that people quickly pass by to head to their own home.
Parks and Social Squad
This might not be a distinctive things to many, but for someone like me, raised in China and having vastly different experiences with parks, this is something.
In Prague, many people like to spend time in a park on the soft grass, alone but mostly with other people. Sunbathing, drinking, chatting, sleeping, picnicking, doing yoga, you name it. The parks are so well-connected with the surroundings that people can suddenly find themselves in a park, without any sort of barrier or gate, and not even a transition.
It is another sign of an emphasis on making the public spaces more accessible and intimate to the people, and it worked perfectly. Between the cozy houses and historical buildings and churches, the parks provide a piece of green space, reminding us all that we are part of the nature still, that we should remain that way. In the hustle of the urban world, it is rare for me to have that feeling of being embraced.
Drinking carries on here as well. You don’t have to hide your bottles when police drop by. Carry on with having fun – or maybe invite the police for one beer ? – and as long as you clean after yourself and stay far from making troubles, you will be fine. Although I think that alcohol has made us gradually lose the ability to socialize normally and interactively without it, it nevertheless brings people good time in the park setting.
When I was lying on the soft grass and enjoying the sunshine, I wish I could lie there forever.
What Is China doing with Parks then?
As much as I have some personal grievances with how people in China use parks, I must say that it is an interactive environment as well, just in a different way.
1st Exercise
Parks are often used as free gym by many, that people would go to these cute facilities and get their bodies moving. I have no opinions against this, for I think it is a cheap and enjoying way of relaxation and fun.
2nd Square Dancing
You will see mass squad of people, most of them are old, dancing in parks with loud music. Parks become community space here, integrated into the daily lives of people. However, I would definitely have appreciated more if the music is not disturbingly loud or still on at 9:30 pm in the evening. That was not so nice.
3rd: Tai Ji ( or Tai Chi)
It is interesting for me to cross compare how public spaces are treated and used in Prague and in China (or rather my limited knowledge of it).
After all, it is important that we do not let the concrete halls that separate the sky and view stop us from being creative, from having surprises in the most mundane of daily living.
Music on, beer open, dance started. Hope that happens in every corner of the world.
References:
http://www.streetpianos.com/
Image Source:
Locations of Piana Na Ulici (Pianos in the Streets) in Czech Republic: http://www.piananaulici.cz/piana-na-ulici
policeman playing: youtube
Hanging Out in a Park: Google images
ALTERNATION 