Artist Statement: At first glance, this piano is stark white, blank. As the viewer approaches, however, the unexpected texture of the piano is revealed. The piano is covered in tiny letters, words that compose messages of hope, nearly invisible to the eye, discernible only by touch. Referencing the tactile nature of the instrument, this piano seeks to engage those who may not ordinarily be able to experience visual art: the blind and visually impaired. Interspersed with words inscribed in the language of Braille, this piano’s hidden message is perceptible only to those who come close enough to feel & discover.
Laura Ricciardi is a New York-based artist whose work explores individual identity vs. shared humanity, meaning/speech in flux, language and expression, self-worth, collective memory, and the boldness of sincerity. She is a graduate of Yale University and New York University School of Law.
