Safe & Sound by Tomo Saito is a dynamic participatory-based music installation that animated King Plaza in downtown Palo Alto during a three-day new media public art festival called Code:ART. The installation engaged the public in the creation of community generated music and provided spontaneous and fun interactions among strangers.
Safe & Sound invited passersby to sit down on one of eight chairs, each of which was connected to a track of music, which was triggered when someone sat in the chair. With all eight chairs filled, the full musical composition could be heard. The artwork instantly became a natural gathering place and drew over ten thousand people over the course of Code:ART to enjoy the music.
Each day the installation featured a new musical track allowing the public to experience the project in a new way. The temporary project included two daily choreographed performances with volunteers from the public, led by the artist, composing music in public plaza.