“Infiltration for Piano” is a seminal work by Joseph Beuys, created in 1966. This conceptual art installation, measuring 152 x 240 cm, employs the mediums of found objects, felt, leather, and a piano, and is situated at the Georges Pompidou Center in Paris, France.
The artwork features a grand piano entirely enveloped in a thick layer of felt, which obscures its structure and functionality. The felt material conceals the piano’s keys and pedals, rendering it unplayable and transforming it from a musical instrument into a sculptural object. Additionally, a bold red cross is affixed to the front right side, imparting a sense of urgency or medical intervention. This transformation using everyday materials is characteristic of Beuys’ oeuvre and invites viewers to contemplate the nature of the object, its function, and its surrounding environment.
