Artist gives junked pianos a second chance

'Metaphors for Dead Pianos'

Seattle artist Hugo Solis is a recycler — not just of paper, glass and plastic, but of whole musical instruments. In his sound installation "Metaphors for Dead Pianos," he takes two discarded acoustic pianos and rigs them up with custom-made electronic circuits, software and other gadgetry to bring the junked instruments to life — spooky, disjointed, sporadic life.

The connection between visitors' moves and piano-string activity isn't obvious. Sometimes the strings buzz in staccato bursts; sometimes they launch into longer echoey growls. The effect is both startling and magical — a bit like being shut in a dim room with two temperamental piano ghosts.

Solis gives a talk on his project at 7 p.m. on Friday. You can also learn more about his work at www.hugosolis.net. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays through April 2, Jack Straw Gallery, 4261 Roosevelt Way N.E., Seattle; free (206-634-0919 or www.jackstraw.org).

Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times arts writer