Along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Virtually) (@assocpublicart on Instagram and Twitter)
The first weekend in May is when cities worldwide participate in Jane’s Walk – an annual festival of free, community-led walking conversations inspired by urban planning activist Jane Jacobs. In lieu of walking together in person, we’ll come together virtually for a Philly experience!
On Saturday, May 2nd at 2pm, join us for a virtual Jane’s Walk tour of public art along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway – an outdoor museum! – on our Instagram or Twitter feeds. We’ll “walk” together down the Parkway, highlighting a number of artworks from Alexander Milne Calder’s William Penn atop City Hall to Mark di Suvero’s Iroquois near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We’ll share interesting stories behind significant outdoor sculptures along the boulevard and answer your questions in real time.
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ABOUT JANE’S WALK
Jane’s Walks are free, public walking tours towards community-based city building.Jane’s Walk is a global movement of free, locally led walking tours inspired by the legacy of writer and urban activist Jane Jacobs. Walks aim to elevate the voices of citizen experts, in dialogue on building a better city – in person, on the street, in real time. Last year, there were thousands of walks in 245 cities around the world. janeswalkphl.org
ABOUT ASSOCIATION FOR PUBLIC ART (aPA) The Association for Public Art (aPA, formerly Fairmount Park Art Association) commissions, preserves, interprets, and promotes public art in Philadelphia. The aPA is the nation’s first private nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a “Museum Without Walls” that informs, engages, and inspires diverse audiences. Established in 1872, aPA integrates public art and urban design through exemplary programs and advocacy efforts that connect people with public art. associationforpublicart.org
Over thirty-six feet tall and weighing more than 53,000 pounds, Alexander Milne Calder’s William Penn atop City Hall is one of Philadelphia’s most prominent landmarks.
Municipal Services Building Plaza, Broad Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard
At first glance, the sculpture appears to be an inverted pyramid of human arms, legs, and torsos, but upon further study, the figures begin to emerge more clearly.
For the bicentennial celebration in 1976, artist Robert Indiana lent the city a large aluminum sculpture of his “love” image. Indiana first produced this design as a painting in 1964.
Sister Cities Park, 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
On the occasion of the World Meeting of Families and Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S., the Philadelphia Museum of Art in partnership with the Association for Public Art presented the installation of Robert Indiana’s AMOR.
Rodin Museum entrance and walk, Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 21st and 22nd Streets
Philadelphia’s version of this iconic artwork is a cast of the 1902–1904 sculpture. It was installed for the opening of the Rodin Museum in 1929, in front of a façade that replicates the one at Meudon where artist Auguste Rodin’s grave is located.
Benjamin Franklin Parkway at Eakins Oval and Spring Garden Street (Iroquois Park)
Mark di Suvero’s monumental Iroquois has a robust energy and physical presence. The abstract sculpture is formed from painted steel I-beams, which are emblematic of the artist’s use of industrial materials.
On Independence Day in 1810, the Society of the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania resolved to create a memorial to General George Washington, who had served as president of the organization from its founding until his death in 1799.
