For us in the piano world, it is sadly no surprise when an upright or grand reaches a condition where restoring it is either impossible or no longer worth the cost. Many such instruments are dismantled, their parts reborn as shelves, bars, or curious furniture. But what a young Hungarian artist, Attila Szabó, created out of an abandoned piano truly surprised me - so much so that I decided to reach out and talk with him about it.
 

Rudolf: At first glance, your work is clearly something creative and new. I was sure it wasn’t just another “designer piano” made by someone from our trade. What are we actually looking at?

Attila: This is a kinetic sculpture I designed and built for my degree show at Ulster University in Belfast.
 

Rudolf: That’s a prestigious university, known for its teaching excellence and research innovation. But how does the piano come into the picture - do you have a personal connection to music?

Attila: Music has always been part of my family, and I began playing piano at 17. But visual art had a stronger pull, so music remained more of a hobby. During my university years I noticed that the closer I came to nature - in a spiritual sense - the bigger and more unusual ideas came to me. Real instruments and music connect me instantly to nature. When I learned that a classmate was about to throw out an upright because of its poor condition, I didn’t hesitate to take it. I felt it could build a new bridge between visual and musical art.
 

Rudolf: I see you share the same sensitivity many of us have when we see instruments discarded. Unfortunately, so many end up this way. All right, you rescued it - but what did you do with it?

Attila: I repaired it as much as I could, cleaned it, tuned it, and for a while I just played my favorite songs on it until I knew what it should become. Then came a dream - and I felt I had to build it. It fit perfectly with my work exploring the “mechanics of surprise.”
 

Rudolf: All right, tell us what you built and how.

Attila: At the top I placed a water tank. A small pump lifts the water into a gutter-like channel, from which it trickles down through tiny holes into glasses. Each glass is designed so that once the water reaches a certain level and weight, it tips over. Using gravity, the mechanism transfers that energy to strike a string - all accompanied by the sound of flowing water. I named the piece “Serenade by the Random,” because the sequence never repeats; it constantly changes. I carefully chose eight tones so that no matter the order, they always sound harmonious. Eight is also my lucky number, and in practical terms it fit the design best. Later, I realized I had unconsciously selected tones that matched the background hum of my studio at the time. In a way, the sculpture resonated with the building itself.

Rudolf: Fascinating. And what are your future plans?

Attila: When I decided to return to Hungary after 13 years in Northern Ireland, I brought the sculpture with me. It’s now being refurbished so it can be ready for longer and larger exhibitions. I’ve noticed that visitors stand and watch it for a long time, as if it allows them to pause and stay in the moment in our rushing world. That’s why my goal is to share it with as many people and in as many places as possible.
 

Rudolf: I truly hope I’ve been able to support you, even in a small way. Don’t stop - you’ve proven that dreams, with perseverance, can become reality.

Attila: Thank you very much for your help and support!