Provide Public Pianos in Glendale: Exposé at The Americana

In my quest to preserve public space and fight the robotization and alienation of late-capitalist daily life, I attempt to play the machine-run piano at Americana, Glendale's town square.
The Americana regularly presents itself as an open, public space for all. I understand it is privately maintained.
What about pianists?
What is the point of Americana having a piano, when humans aren't allowed to play it?
#glendale #americana

[@LordFloofTM]

I’ve seen that piano before in my visits to Glendale to see my grandparents. Good on you for standing up to them and playing it. What’s the point in having a piano for it to sit unused?

[@MegaAvinator]

what is the name of the song played here?

[@allendish]

This is “Dance of Vagharshapat” by Arno Babajanian!

[@elvirafranco3806]

Alonso 💪😍🕊

[@russellnadin2480]

The music was beautifully played and the style suited the space, so security could not have objected to those points. Good video, and good attempt at playing.

[@allendish]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@N8Dulcimer]

Dude went into an off limits space to set his coffee on a nice piano. At least be respectful while you go hop over velvet ropes to mess with people's private property. Maybe it's different in Armenia, but we use velvet ropes like that so say "please dont touch the stuff behind this. We trust you to be classy enough that we dont need a fence or anything to keep you out."

[@allendish]

@@N8Dulcimer Dear Nate, thanks for your comments. I want to say that I tried to be as respectful as possible while making this video of civil disobedience in Glendale’s de-facto public town center mall. I was courteous enough to bring my own chair, even. I should note that the cup of tea was empty at this point, it was more of a prop. I do not agree with your characterization of my playing of the piano as “messing with.” You are correct that the red ropes represent a closed space. I do not consider my crossing of the line as a reflection of cultural misunderstanding but rather basic civil disobedience. My Armenian identity is not a repository for specific characteristics. I find myself in the world and desire to protect public space. I am in conversation with the city and Americana mall in order to resolve this issue. Thanks again

[@N8Dulcimer]

@@allendish I apologize for being disrespectful about your heritage, and I only brought up your nationality because I was hoping that you might not be aware of the convention that you disregarded due to being foreign. The point is the owner of that piano wanted it left alone, and no one should feel entitled to it just because it is visible, albeit roped off. If one would choose to play someone else's piano without their permission, placing a cup on top of the piano while doing so is distasteful and rude. I would never set my drink on a friend's piano, let alone a stranger's. You call the coffee cup that you used to signal your disrespect a "prop" but weren't 'messing with' the piano?

[@allendish]

@@N8Dulcimer I understand, you were not disrespectful. All I can say is that this was a symbolic protest for public pianos and in defense of public spaces and parks in glendale, which are under threat. The Americana is Glendale’s de-facto town center, the green space there is indeed owned by the city. There used to be a pianist here, who was replaced with the machine piano years ago (hence why I consider what I did a struggle against digitalization of our lives as well). I have inquired about playing there many times over the span of years and received no response, so I decided to stage my frustration. I knew I would be removed and cooperated after playing for 20 seconds. I do not wish to have set a precedent of unruly behavior. I have been informed by the city that they will be installing actual public pianos.

[@8joh]

bro you look like walter jr in the thumbnail

[@subursteve]

Let the HUMANS play! 🎹

[@chad1568]

wasnt there a point in time where the piano was open. i rmember playing it when i was like 9?

[@allendish]

There are indeed rumors afloat but I could not verify it at this moment. Cheers

[@antonyperaza7173]

@@allendishyes my dad worked in the Americana during that time sad😢

[@SteveSaxony]

aper post more videos, if you grow your channel ima pay on patreon you are funny af

[@allendish]

Thank you friend for the kind words, I will be posting more soon

[@chad1568]

what is name of the song??

[@allendish]

This is “Dance of Vagharshapat” by composer Arno Babajanian

[@r.b8876]

@@allendish thank you for the Armenian song!

[@su1hi]

from playing the most beautiful rendition of ktor me yerkinq to exposing americana i love it

[@allendish]

Very kind of you thank you!

[@SteveSaxony]

this guy is armenian for sure ara look at how he talks

[@allendish]

Yes I am!

[@SteveSaxony]

@@allendish Allenoj Dish-zek.😀

[@danshaw3849]

The entitlement, which you are seemingly proud of, is unreal. It's not yours so you have no right to play it. It's been sealed off so it is clear that noone is supposed to be messing with it. How you can possibly think you have any right to play it is just laughable.

[@allendish]

Dear Dan, thanks for the criticism. I accept that it was wrong but context matters here, namely that this is in the city of Glendale’s de-facto town center, this is not a totally private place. This was a symbolic protest meant to vouch for public pianos in the city as well as defend public spaces and parks, which are under threat. There used to be a pianist here, who was replaced by the machine piano (hence why I also call this a struggle against the robotization of our lives). I inquired dozens of times about playing this specific piano but received no response over the course of many years, so I decided to stage this protest and cooperated whence removed.

[@guitarplayerdvo]

Hell yeah Dish ! Screw them fascists