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I Spent Over 10 Years Photographing Abandoned Pianos And Here Are The Best Photos I Took In Italy (9 Pics)
I Spent Over 10 Years Photographing Abandoned Pianos And Here Are The Best Photos I Took In Italy (9 Pics)
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I Spent Over 10 Years Photographing Abandoned Pianos And Here Are The Best Photos I Took In Italy (9 Pics)

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In front of my lens, carpeted in the shadows, astonishing giants of wood and cast iron display their beauty. The only witnesses of the past years, these pianos are the soul of the place. Objects too heavy to be moved that I have been tracking relentlessly for more than 10 years.

When you discover the instrument in these ruined places, you imagine stories, and the piano imposes itself with all its nobility. This photographic work that I have been doing since 2008 offers me the privilege of combining my two passions: image and music. This quest for forgotten pianos has taken me to many European countries and I found more than 100 different pianos. I present here the pianos I was able to photograph in Italy between 2014 and 2020.

More info: romainthiery.fr | Instagram

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    romain thiery

    romain thiery

    Author, Community member

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    Romain Thiery, born in 1988, is a renowned photographer and contemporary artist whose work has captured international attention. Originally from the south of France, he has established himself as a leading figure in visual art through his project Requiem pour Pianos. This series explores abandoned pianos across the world, pushing the boundaries of photography, sound, and collective memory. His photographs capture these locations as they are, without altering their authenticity. Each image becomes an open window to bygone eras, where music once resonated. These places, with their cracked walls, have become his stage, and the pianos his main actors. To him, the piano is "deeply rooted in the depths of our culture and continues to preserve an immutable nobility." But Romain Thiery's art goes beyond photography. On location, he records the residual sounds of the pianos he discovers, note by note, integrating these raw tones into his exhibitions. This immersive and multisensory approach offers the audience a unique experience, where image and sound merge to tell a timeless and universal story. These pianos, instruments of creation and dreams, are thus reborn in his work, imbued with new meaning and life. Recognized as one of the most influential contemporary photographers, Romain Thiery has exhibited his works in prestigious galleries and museums worldwide. His critically acclaimed work has been featured in international publications such as The Guardian, Music in Art, El País, and Der Spiegel.

    Read less »
    romain thiery

    romain thiery

    Author, Community member

    Romain Thiery, born in 1988, is a renowned photographer and contemporary artist whose work has captured international attention. Originally from the south of France, he has established himself as a leading figure in visual art through his project Requiem pour Pianos. This series explores abandoned pianos across the world, pushing the boundaries of photography, sound, and collective memory. His photographs capture these locations as they are, without altering their authenticity. Each image becomes an open window to bygone eras, where music once resonated. These places, with their cracked walls, have become his stage, and the pianos his main actors. To him, the piano is "deeply rooted in the depths of our culture and continues to preserve an immutable nobility." But Romain Thiery's art goes beyond photography. On location, he records the residual sounds of the pianos he discovers, note by note, integrating these raw tones into his exhibitions. This immersive and multisensory approach offers the audience a unique experience, where image and sound merge to tell a timeless and universal story. These pianos, instruments of creation and dreams, are thus reborn in his work, imbued with new meaning and life. Recognized as one of the most influential contemporary photographers, Romain Thiery has exhibited his works in prestigious galleries and museums worldwide. His critically acclaimed work has been featured in international publications such as The Guardian, Music in Art, El País, and Der Spiegel.

    Vėjūnė Rimašiūtė

    Vėjūnė Rimašiūtė

    Author, Community member

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    Vėjūnė is a community manager who helps artists all over the world introduce their artwork to Bored Panda readers and in that way, become more popular. Since she was always fascinated by the art world, she studied Culture Management and Cultural Policy at Vilnius Academy of Arts where she expanded her knowledge about it. Now she's using all this knowledge to showcase its beauty and help others dive into the fascinating world of art.

    Read less »

    Vėjūnė Rimašiūtė

    Vėjūnė Rimašiūtė

    Author, Community member

    Vėjūnė is a community manager who helps artists all over the world introduce their artwork to Bored Panda readers and in that way, become more popular. Since she was always fascinated by the art world, she studied Culture Management and Cultural Policy at Vilnius Academy of Arts where she expanded her knowledge about it. Now she's using all this knowledge to showcase its beauty and help others dive into the fascinating world of art.

    What do you think ?
    Octavia Hansen
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A piano was in desperate need of tuning . . . someone suggested Opperknockity, an experienced tuner known to many for his fine ear and musical ability. He came to the location, took his time and tuned the piano perfectly. After time and playing, the piano was out of tune again. The tuner was called . . . but he said “No.” The immediate question was why? His answer: “Everyone knows . . . Opperknockity only tunes once.”

    Kenny Kulbiski
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jeez, the first time I heard that I was still young.

    Load More Replies...
    Hollysmom
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a (very) amateur pianist this makes me very sad but the pictures are very evocative

    Load More Comments
    Octavia Hansen
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A piano was in desperate need of tuning . . . someone suggested Opperknockity, an experienced tuner known to many for his fine ear and musical ability. He came to the location, took his time and tuned the piano perfectly. After time and playing, the piano was out of tune again. The tuner was called . . . but he said “No.” The immediate question was why? His answer: “Everyone knows . . . Opperknockity only tunes once.”

    Kenny Kulbiski
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jeez, the first time I heard that I was still young.

    Load More Replies...
    Hollysmom
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a (very) amateur pianist this makes me very sad but the pictures are very evocative

    Load More Comments
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