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How might we restore vibrancy in cities and regions facing economic decline? Read the challenge brief

Inspiration

Mission #5 Surprise Us Find out more...

Interactive Piano Stairs

Interactive piano stairway in Stockholm encourages commuters to ditch the escalators, making it more fun to go up the stairs every time!
The campaign that became viral back in 2009: to encourage people to take the stairs instead of the escalator, regular stairs at the Odenplan subway station in Stockholm were turned into a giant functioning piano keyboard. Not surprisingly, after the piano stairs were installed, 66% more people than usual chose the stairs.

This was part of a campaign by Volkswagen, and included in the website The Fun Theory where they believe that "something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better." Which in this case, it certainly did!  

Maybe this kind of interactivity could be used to turn dark streets or dangerous alleys in a city more alive, and maybe include interactivity using light as well?
Mission #5 Surprise Us Find out more...

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Ana Cecilia Santos's reply to Sjiva De Meester's comment
December 04, 2011, 11:58PM
me 2 :) Thanks Sjlva
November 23, 2011, 05:21AM
Such a fun way to get people to interact with their environment and get a little exercise in as well. i can see this concept being transferable to so many other ways to get people involved. Thank you for sharing this!
Ana Cecilia Santos's reply to Sjiva De Meester's comment
November 25, 2011, 10:15PM
Hi LaToya, I know it's super fun and quite a simple idea. Really great to get people moving, leading them to be more active and therefore, happier! Glad u liked it :)
November 22, 2011, 01:08AM
This is one of my favourite art pieces ever. I love how something so simple can change people's behaviour & make them smile.

Without "art" the Earth is just "eh."
Ana Cecilia Santos's reply to Sjiva De Meester's comment
November 22, 2011, 11:49AM
Indeed, so simple :) Imagine this applied to urban areas much less fortunate than Stockholm, it could have higher visibility and impact, providing locals engage with the installation in a similar way.
Johan Löfström's reply to Sjiva De Meester's comment
November 22, 2011, 01:22PM
Carly, do you mind if I steal/copy that quote? amazingly simple but yet wonderful. Do I need to copy also the facial frown, that I imagine that you use when you pronounce the "eh"?

Is it illegal to "piratkopiera" someones quotes without buying it first? :) haha

This is a short video clip, of a little installation of a different kind, in an escalator, in a shopping mall in my former home town, I designed the event in association with 2 legendary artists, AKAY and Adams from Stockholm (in a workshop at a design week in may 2009)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFIw9lm2_zw
Did not require any construction or expensive objects, just send text messages to everyone you know, and go out and have fun!!!
Carly 's reply to Sjiva De Meester's comment
November 22, 2011, 03:00PM
Johan, the quote is not original to me (I think I read it on Twitter or Tumblr) so steal away I suppose! Aha, I don't need to frown when I say "eh", as I am Canadian, we say it all the time. ;-)

I like your installation! It's another very simple but wonderful way for people to interact. I think it's interesting to note how in these two examples you don't need any special skills to participate - it will make a lot of people feel welcome & boost confidence when they accomplish something fun!

Another great one from the fun theory is this one, on how to encourage people to use rubbish bins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbEKAwCoCKw
Ana Cecilia Santos's reply to Sjiva De Meester's comment
November 22, 2011, 11:20PM
Hi Carly, I love that one too, making using rubbish bins much more fun. It's actually where I was inspired to post my latest inspiration about beautifying a city: http://www.openideo.com/open/vibrant-cities/inspiration/ugly-everyday-urban-objects-beautify-and-make-them-fun-to-look-at-/ Fun Theory does great projects, which also kind of bring to mind ImprovEverywhere's work too.

Thanks Johan for sharing your video, fun to see a real life prototype, great initiative !
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