Artist teams with Pandora, Pittsburgh Improv for interactive mural
This is no joke: There is an interactive mural at the Pittsburgh Improv comedy club in the Waterfront, Homestead.
Artist Brian Holderman, of the West End, painted the piece that adorns the side of the building. He’s drawn a female comedian, audience members laughing, cocktails, a piano and a marquis.
In the bottom right-hand corner is a Quick Response Code, a barcode that provides access to information through a smartphone. Through a phone’s camera, the code connects to the Pandora app and the user can download the playlist chosen by Holderman.
“It is interesting to hear what Holderman was listening to while he painted this mural,” said Paul Tebbets, general manager at the Pittsburgh Improv as he stood near the artwork. “This is pretty cool.”
The Pittsburgh Improv is doing a ticket giveaway for patrons who take a photo by the mural and post it on social media with the hashtag #improvmural.
“We hope it will create more interest in all the great comedians we have at the club,” said Tebbets. “The Pittsburgh Improv provides an intimate setting. You are so close to the comedian and sitting elbow to elbow with other people who came to enjoy a few laughs.”
Upcoming shows include Preacher Lawson (Friday through Sunday), Chris Porter (Dec. 19-22), Nick Colletti (Dec. 26), Steve Byrne (Dec. 27-29) and Matt Light & Guests (Dec. 31).
You know him from his hilarious stand up on ?NBC's America's Got Talent! @PreacherLawson heads to the @PghImprov Dec 13 - 15th. Pick up your tickets today before his dates SELL OUT! Don't miss it!
?️https://t.co/Zo1BF5glhp pic.twitter.com/HnVrwp5Ri8— Pittsburgh Improv (@PghImprov) December 11, 2019
Music and comedy helped keep Holderman entertained while he worked. He started logging what he was listening to and provided the list to the Pittsburgh Improv, which shared it with Pandora.
“I wanted to start it off with Faith No More’s cover of the Bee Gees song ‘I Started a Joke’ and finish it with Primus’ cover of Pink Floyd’s ‘Have a Cigar,’ ” Holderman said in an email. “The rest were just a taste of what I like to listen to.”
Holderman said the main focus of the mural is with the comedian, which represents the stand-up comedy that takes place inside. He said he was happy it only snowed once while working weeks on the mural.
“The audience and laughter are there, along with food and drink,” said Holderman, who has created 20 murals. “Pittsburgh is the backdrop to the entire composition shown as buildings, a bridge and the iconic ‘Steel’ star.”
He was contacted to do the project by Branded Arts, a California company that was putting together a mural project involving the Improv. Pandora is the largest streaming provider in the U.S..
The playlist highlights songs from artists such as MF Doom and Joan Jett, as well as comedy tracks from comedian Doug Stanhope.
The Pittsburgh Improv opened in 2002.
“It’s been such a pleasure to work with the team at Pandora and The Improv on this project,” said Emily Wittmer, marketing director for The Waterfront. “The music wall is not only dynamic to see, but the playlist makes it sing — almost literally. Brian Holderman truly put his stamp on the space in more ways than one.”
The Pittsburgh Improv is located at 166 East Bridge St., The Waterfront
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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