Dearest David Byrne Or "Your Building: I Have Played It"
Dear David Byrne,
This Sunday, I sat on a no-less-than fetid bus to Brooklyn to play your building. And by this I mean, to experience "Playing The Building," your collaborative installation with Creative Time.
I was writing to tell you that I was very impressed. The narrow entrance and old, foreboding stairwell of the Battery Maritime Building did not give away the wonder of the cavernous space within, just up on Floor 2.
The Waiting Room
Your building is a symphony! A veritable cacophony of organ-induced sonic stimuli, ranging from deeply resonant vibrations to sharp clanks of metal on metal, all arising from different regions of the arcade-like space. Very delightful in their disorienting effects, as young and old alike scamper from pillar to pillar and pipe to pipe to see if a magnet or pulley will be set off with each "amateur" keystroke of the organ.
Cavernous!
The 45-Minute Line To Play Your Building: I have waited in it.
"Thank you, I think I will!"
But hang it all, it was quite worth it. In front of me was a woman who claimed to be a "true pianist, and was antsy for her turn. But really, one after another, each eager patron wrenched strkingly similar, albeit asymmetrical gurglings and clunkings from that cavernous space. More percussive than melodic, to be certain.
Also, I think the neon blue cables were an appropriate contrast to the historical and derelict-feeling architecture of the space.
So Dearest David Byrne, as for Your Building: I Have Played It.
Like many before me and many to come. Thank you, kind sir, for your installation.
With warmest regards,
Robin B. McDowell
P.S. The people at Creative Time have put out a very excellent accompanying publication. Your headshot looks great.
Creative Time Print Goods + My Chinatown Bus Ticket
David Byrne's "Playing The Building" is free and open to the public Friday-Sunday from noon-6 pm until August 24, 2008. The Battery Maritime Building is located at 10 South Street in New York City.
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