“Every spring, an interactive installation takes over a high-traffic area in Montréal’s Quartier des spectacles and sets a collective ritual. The installation offers a fresh look at the idea of cooperation, the notion that we can achieve more together than separately. The result is a giant instrument made of 21 musical swings; each swing in motion triggers different notes, all the swings together compose a piece, but some sounds only emerge from cooperation. The project stimulates ownership of the public space, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds, and creating a place for playing and hanging out in the middle of the city centre. A traveling version of the project is currently being made for these collective moments to spread around the world.”
21 Balançoires (21 Swings) from Daily Tous Les Jours on Vimeo.
Live & Learn 
Not only beautifully sounding but visually as well.
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Yes. I’m with you.
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Reblogged this on LifeRevelation and commented:
Sometimes the simplest things move my soul. An idea will penetrate deeper than the others. I feel it, literally within my body. Usually I tear up. I can’t explain it well, but I certainly recognize when it happens.
This is one of those moments. This simple idea of a swing that produces a variety of tones…so simple, yet look at the faces of those being interviewed…they are in ecstasy.
I love it.
Be encouraged!
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Yes Stephen. You’ve captured it nicely. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for putting together such great posts.
Be encouraged!
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What a great idea! Good thing I don’t live there. I’d be swinging all day.
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At least until lunch time!
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For sure, me too, – love the swings and the sound – amazing!!!
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Shared on Facebook! I didn’t know about this in Montreal and I work about 8 blocks away or so! So awesome!
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In your back yard and you missed it? Smiling…
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I love that!!! I would love to go see that someday! Thanks for sharing.
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Exhibits are going around globe maybe to location near you Jenni
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Oooh, I hope so. Sounds fun and inspiring at the same time!! Thanks so much for sharing!
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Love it. Not only the idea of creating music together but the memory of feeling like I was flying when on a swing.
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Me too Laurie.
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One of the joys of my youth was swinging on the swings in the park across the road from where I lived…. Today, still, I enjoy swinging on the swings in a (secluded) playground on our (doggy) walk route…. Granted, the swings do not have a musical accompaniment; more the shame. I would so enjoy were all parks to have this joy included… Perhaps in time to come….! 🙂
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Hi Carolyn. My recollections of youth were similar. I would add that we pushed our kids for hours on swings too. Who doesn’t just love to swing, right?
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Great idea, how beautiful to swing and make music!
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Yes Tina. Immediate childhood flashback.
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Somehow it seems perfect to me that Montreal is the venue for this display of artistic collaboration. This is fabulous – evoking memories of playground, inspiring thoughts of innocent play with serious, beautiful results..
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Never looked at it this way…of Montreal being the optimal venue but you are right….
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Please accept my most delightful appreciation for what expansive endeavors tend to convey. Your swinging involvement is happily on display. Yea, you bet. I truly wish you all the best, and yes, please continue to share, that’s my baseline request.
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I want to go and take 20 special people with me… I love this.
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Smiling. Clip has that influence of grabbing your friends and going for a swing. Yes, Bonnie.
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LOVE IT! Oh we need swings in every city and town in America. If they can’t bring a smile…. 🙂
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Yes…and rope swing in our back yards. 🙂
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I love this! Beautiful-thank you for sharing!
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You are welcome…thanks for dropping by.
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Like so many before me, I LOVE this–the way in which the allure of swinging with abandon reaches across generations, the way that climbing into a swing seat immediately reverses the clock, the way that the wind whistling past your ears as you fly through the air never gets old, the way that the music making inspires collaboration, the way that the seats are illuminated at night, making the whole installation glow and the participants appear like so many oversized fireflies, all of it. Delightful, absolutely delightful…. 🙂
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You’ve done it again. You’ve swept me away with your words. I’m sitting her shaking my head. “Installation glow…” “like so many oversized fireflies.” “Wind whistling past your ears…” You are inspiring. (Do you know how good you really are?)
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Gosh, David, thank you! That means more than you know coming from you, as I so respect your way with words. You just made my day! 🙂
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Sounds are amazing. What a great way for family, friends or strangers to do something together that is so simple but creates such beauty and peace.
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Yes, there is beauty and peace in swings. I’m with you…
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May I send this on to one of my sons, David?? He made a swing in their backyard for his wife and family, and I make sure I do my swinging when we go and visit – even in my old age!!! Love it, makes me feel young again!!
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Of course Verna! Me too…
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Awesome find. I would love this for my town.
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I would imagine this would calming. I’m in for my town too…
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Just wanted to tell you since you’re the one that brought me this, 21 Swing just won the 2013 Interaction Award for being Most Engaging! Here’s the link if you want to check out the other award winners: http://awards.ixda.org/2013interactionawards
Enjoy!
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Thanks for circling back with me on this Kim. This is cool. I’ll check them out.
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