Paul Dunham, The Piano Man, gave a very informative and humorous presentation about his background and his current involvement with The Painted Lady. He works in IT and recently did a music degree. He appreciates music in his everyday life including the waterfront piano (The Painted Lady). He referred to the level of noise in Wellington and how he looked at background, including buskers, and their street performances and how he saw The Painted Lady on the waterfront. He did research into The Painted Lady and contacted Rotary who referred him to Rick Hughes who provided him with details and how the waterfront can be used for music. His current involvement with The Painted Lady lead to his presentation to Rotary, part of which he has provided as an attachment to this report.
Ed
WATERFRONT PIANO PROSE:
“The piano stands with her back to the sea. A painted lady competing for the attention of those who drift by amidst an ambiguous blend of sound and noise. A swimmer struggles against the tide: a cyclist does the same amongst the pedestrians. Pokémon hunters try to capture meaning from virtually nothing. Joggers weave between office workers and strollers as they navigate the well- worn paths of everyday life. Their attention is elsewhere. Conversations with cohorts, eyes fixed on a phone or transported elsewhere by the music in their ears. People silently traverse the space on the road to god knows where. People stroll in in and out of souvenir shops, others relax at the cafe watching the others’ worlds pass by.
Tourists idle away that day taking in the sights. Some stop to snap a memory of their visit with a photo of the piano. One put his arm around her. He smiles, she clicks, they move on. Some stop to stare, some point with a hushed utterance to a partner. Fingers brush across the keyboard. 88 reasons to stop, none compelling. Children play on the piano accompaniment to the tuneless melodies of the seagulls. More children rush at her competing for space to play. Some people take family photos with her as though she was a long lost relative. Does she remind them of someone they know? A couple stop at the piano. A few hesitant bars are played. They giggle. She plays a bit more than falters. No-one pays any attention to them. They leave, smiling. People sidestep the piano-an inconvenient obstacle in their path. Children stop and point, mothers nod and move on. Teens pass by. They stop. Some hammer on the keys. One tries to play a tune. They laugh and snap a selfie or two before moving on. A couple stops and brings out a song book. They play for a while. Billy Joel, Bacharach, Elton John played with gusto. They laugh and shout out song titles. People glance over, someone takes a photo. No-one gathers. They play a while longer before moving. Happy and laughing.
These are the everyday flirtations with the painted Lady. John Cage's 4.33 plays on high rotation. The seagulls call for an encore.”
Paul Dunham.
.png)
