Uptown’s Newest Art Piece is a Musical Balancing Act

two adults and a child playing on playground equipment in front of the Charlotte, NC skyline

Sit, stand, dance, or wobble — First Ward Park’s newest interactive artwork lets you move to your own tune and make music by yourself or with friends. “Balancing Act” invites you to get creative and explore tunes on three colorful discs.

“It is meant to bring together neighbors and strangers, and allow them to negotiate its usage: sit and look around, sunbathe, see how many people can fit on at once, see how long you can balance, or try to create a song together,” says Balancing Act’s creator, Daily tous les jours art and design studio of Montreal. The award-winning studio, whose name translates to “Daily every day,” has created more than 40 original artworks in over 30 cities around the world.

The three multi-colored, 68-inch disks are made of aluminum, stainless steel, zinc-plated steel, and air springs. Two amplifiers and a hard drive provide music to the discs, whose musical patterns vary with movement. Three main positions allow differences in tone and rhythm on each disk, allowing them to be played alone or together.

The interactive art installation is nestled along a walkway in the park with a perfect view of Charlotte’s uptown skyline for added inspiration! The work was paid for by Mecklenburg County’s 1% for the Arts Ordinance. So go hit First Ward Park and enjoy a new song and dance with art!