11.05.2015Project Reports

PianoArt made possible by mafi


For us inspiration is a core value. We seek it, share it and even try to spread it. 
To inspire is one of the most exciting activities when it’s about design. 
Thus the special and the unusual are the focus of consideration. 

"The craftsmanship challenge is to make technology invisible in a piano. No buttons, no display. Only the pure piece of furniture is visible.”

 

We talked to Ben Schlosser. With his company PianoArt, the artist understands ‘Upcycling’ of pianos in combination with digital enhancements. Recently, a mafi Tiger OAK white was used in one of his works. 

mafi: Mr Schlossser, what does PianoArt stand for? 
BEN SCHLOSSER: PianoArt stands for sustainability by Upcycling and for individualism. The combination of classical craftsmanship with the most modern hi-fi technology creates a new kind of piano. 

mafi: What got you into the restoration of pianos? 
BEN SCHLOSSER: I have an old piano at home, which was no longer playable and a digital piano which is not really attractive. I started to think about a combination. The traditional craftsmanship impresses me with its love of detail. Additionally, I wanted to create the possibility of making old pianos playable again. The knowledge that music from a piano gives a pleasantly warm sound came later. Therefore, the pianos got the important additional function of a stereo system. 

mafi: So, what’s the challenge with this? 
BEN SCHLOSSER: The craftsmanship challenge is to make technology invisible in a piano. No buttons, no display. Only the pure piece of furniture is visible. Thus, the character of the instrument remains, whether with a new coat of paint or with the old patina. 

mafi: Who are your customers? 
BEN SCHLOSSER: Bars and restaurants profit from the charming appearance of such a piano and from the simple possibility of playing live music at any time, also supported by their own sound system. Music-lovers and technology enthusiastic can enjoy the flair of a PianoArt system by themselves at home. 

mafi: You used a mafi Tiger OAK in one of your recent works – how did that come about? 
BEN SCHLOSSER: On the white piano I installed cassettes into the top of the wooden frame. One of my backers, Markus Mark from Riedlingen (DE), sells mafi floors. He therefore had the idea to install mafi wood. We decided in favour of the Tiger OAK. I was enthusiastic. It produces a terrific contrast to the white cracked paint. 

mafi: What do you think of the mafi brand? 
BEN SCHLOSSER: For me, mafi means the highest quality, sustainable production and individual design. 

mafi: What can we look forward to in the future? 
BEN SCHLOSSER: We are planning an expansion of our PianoArt product range. Of course, these pianos are unique items with individual customer wishes. But later we will offer even more variants with differing possible uses. Keyword: Desk or Home Bar. 

mafi: Many thanks! 
BEN SCHLOSSER: My pleasure. 


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