Annea Lockwood’s Piano Garden

Following the intimate performances of the Piano Garden by Xenia Pestova Bennett we’ll be opening up the Gathering Ground community garden space to the public. This is a chance to come along and see Annea’s planted piano in public, and have a plonk on it if you so choose!

The Piano Garden is not at the Gathering Ground’s cafe, but it will be open if you want to grab a coffee or tea before you head in. The specific location for the Piano Garden is 3 minutes walk from the Gathering Ground. We’ve shared a map at the bottom of this page.

Originally conceived in Ingatestone, Essex in 1969/1970 as part of her Piano Transplant series (which also includes the burning and drowning of pianos), Piano Garden is built from the following instructions:

Dig a sloping trench and slip an upright piano in sideways so that it is half interred.

A small grand piano may be set down amongst bushes etc.

Plant fast growing trees and creepers around the pianos.

Do not protect against weather and leave the pianos there forever.

Please note: there is viewing platform space to the garden for 1 wheelchair, but we are afraid there is not an accessible entrance to the actual garden for a wheelchair. We do apologise for this.

The location is here (see below)