Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Year: 2017

A Quest for Parity: The Octavius V. Catto Memorial
Branly Cadet, 2017
* Memorial to and statue of Octavius Catto
* big and small standing person, ideas, cube and mirrored orb, steles representing a streetcar and a representational streetcar, buildings, plants, horse, clouds, groups of people, some sitting, hats, guns, baseball equipment
* inscription:
South side of steles, North side of cube:
There must come a change which will force upon this nation that course which providence seems wisely to be directing for the mutual benefit of all peoples.
West side of steles, West side of cube:
Educator Leader Major Athlete Activist
South side of cube: October 10, 1871
East side of cube:
XV
Amendment to the United States Constitution
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
North side of steles:
1839 Born February 22 in Charleston, South Carolina
1854 Becomes a student at the Philadelphia Institute for Colored Youth
1858 Graduates from the Institute for Colored Youth
1859 Chosen as a member and recording secretary of the Banneker Institute, an all black literary society led by Jacob White, Jr. Hired as an English and mathematics teacher at his alma mater. Campaign to desegregate the horse-drawn streetcars in Philadelphia begins.
1863 becomes a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Helps lead a civil war recruitment committee with Frederick Douglas, members of the Union League, and others, which raises eleven regiments of black troops who trained at Camp William Penn in Cheltenham.
1864 Named corresponding secretary of the Pennsylvania Equal Rights League, an affiliate of the National Equal Rights League. Appointed Vice President of the State Convention of Colored People held in Harrisburg. Led civil disobedience protests and lobbied white legislators in Harrisburg to desegregate streetcars.
1865 Co-authored the state Equal Rights League call for voting rights, streetcar desegregation, and the hiring of black teachers for black students in public schools.
1867 Governor signs statewide "Bill of Rights" law desegregating streetcars. Led the Pythians Base Ball Club of Philadelphia to an undefeated season.
1869 Named principal of male students at the Institute for Colored Youth Pythians play the Olympic Ball Club in Philadelphia in the first match between black and white teams. A leader of the unsuccessful effort to integrate the private City Wide Congress of Literary Societies. Helps lead successful Pennsylvania campaign to pass the 15th Amendment which led to thousands of black men registering to vote.
1870 The Union League presents Octavius Catto, Frederick Douglas, and Robert Purvis with a banner celebrating Pennsylvania's adoption of the 15th Amendment at a ceremony on Broad Street. Writes curriculum for new schools for freed former slaves in the District of Columbia. Becomes a member of the original Franklin Institute breaking the color line at the prestigious national forum for advancing American science and technology.
1871 Named an Inspector General with the rank of Major in the Pennsylvania National Guard. Shot to death on October 10, on South Street in the midst of election day riots. He was 32, and one of many black men shot or attacked that day by opponents of the 15th Amendment. As one of Philadelphia's most influential leaders, more than 5,000 mourners attended his funeral and procession down Broad Street.
* South side of City Hall. North side of S. Penn Square at Broad.
* 39.951775,-75.164100 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Athletic, War, Black Lives, Mass Transit
* See also:
+branlycadet.com
+wikipedia.org's Octavius Catto page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page

All the Light You See
Alicia Eggert, 2017
* light words and ideas
* inscription: "ALL THE LIGHT YOU SEE IS FROM THE PAST" and "ALL YOU SEE IS PAST"
(at the time the picture was taken only the second statement was lighting up)
* Roof. North side of Girard at Bambrey.
* 39.974035,-75.178235 [map] [nearby]
* On the Fairmount tour
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+artist's page for this piece
+Michael Swanwick's blog entry for this piece
+aliciaeggert.com

Ed Snider
Chad Fisher, 2017
* statue of Ed Snider
* standing person, rock
* Northwest corner of the Wells Fargo Center. East side of Broad, South of Pattison.
* 39.902050,-75.172695 [map] [nearby]
* On the South Broad tour
* See also:
+fishersculpture.com
+wikipedia.org's Ed Snider page
+wikipedia.org's Wells Fargo Center page

O'Connor Plaza Fountain
Sikora Wells Appel, 2017
* In honor of Marie O'Connor and Patrick O'Connor
* abstract geometric waterfall fountain
* Also the background waterfall for Russell Conwell
* O'Connor Plaza. Upper Northwest corner of Founder's Garden. Liacouras and Polett Walks.
* 39.981390,-75.155690 [map] [nearby]
* On the Temple Campus tour
* See also:
+sikora-wa.com
+cozen.com's Patrick O'Connor page
+sikora-wa.com page for their Founder's Garden reimagining

Temple Owl
Corolfi Studios, 2017
* In honor of Marie O'Connor and Patrick O'Connor
* big owl, Temple T
* Replaced Red Owl
* inscription:
Temple University proudly dedicates this plaza in the heart of the campus in honor of Patrick and Marie O'Connor. Their inspired generosity and distinguished leadership create life-changing opportunities for our students and others. Patrick J. O'Connor joined the Temple University Board of Trustees in 1971 as the youngest trustee in the university's history and served until 1984. He returned to the board in 2001 and was elected chairman in 2009. In 2013 he received an honorary degree from Temple University.
* O'Connor Plaza. Upper Northwest corner of Founder's Garden. Liacouras and Polett Walks.
* 39.981455,-75.155755 [map] [nearby]
* On the Temple Campus tour
* See also:
+carolfistudios.com
+cozen.com's Patrick O'Connor page
+sikora-wa.com page for their Founder's Garden reimagining

The Arsenal of Independence
Robert A. M. Stern Architects, 2017
* Reference to Benjamin Flower
* cannon barrels, sign
* inscription: (partial)
Imagine this neighborhood filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of war. Philadelphia's tradesmen and women produced muskets, cannon, ammunition, wagons, ships, uniforms and flags that helped to win American Independence. In 1775, hat maker Benjamin Flower lived just a block from where you are standing. He joined the Revolutionary cause and became Commissary General of Military Stores for the Continental Army.
* in front of the Museum of the American Revolution. Southeast Corner, 3rd and Chestnut.
* 39.948525,-75.145935 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+ramsa.com
+Orders to Benjamin Flower from George Washington
+amrevmuseum.org

The Bond
Jim West, 2017
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington
* two people standing, Masonic emblem
* inscription:
Brother George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, first President of the United States, and member of Alexandria Lodge (Fairfax County, Virginia) shows his Masonic Apron to Brother Benjamin Franklin, diplomat who negotiated French involvement in our independence. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and Master of the Loge Les Neuf Soeurs, in Paris. It was a gift from Brother General Lafayette, member of the Loge Contrat Social of Paris, who represented the French government and their commitment to American Independence.
* In front of the Masonic Temple. Northeast corner, Broad and JFK.
* 39.953510,-75.163150 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+jimwestsculptor.com
+The Electric Franklin
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page
+pamasonictemple.org

Untitled
Sam Maitin, 2017 (fabricated)
* abstract bird
* Displayed at the time the picture was taken with two earlier pieces by the same artist that are not listed in the catalog.
* Grounds of Woodmere Art Museum. Corner of Germantown Avenue and Bells Mill Road.
* 40.083050,-75.220600 [map] [nearby]
* On the Germantown Avenue tour
* See also:
+entry for this piece at woodmereartmuseum.org
+Samuel Maitin entry at woodmereartmuseum.org
+Woodmere Art Museum

Washington Crossing the Delaware
Guangxi Qihe Bronze Studio, Emanuel Leutze, Dr. QiongZhao (Ellen) Schicktanz, 2017 (installed)
* Full figure relief of George Washington
* small people, mostly seated, some standing, hats, weapons, flag, boat with oars, clouds, horses
* inscription: (partial)
This bronze sculpture replicates the famous painting, Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze. It depicts Gen. George Washington leading the Continental Army on a dangerous nighttime crossing of the Delaware River on December 25, 1776 to attack Hessian troops stationed at Trenton. His attack was a final, desperate effort to gain a victory after months of defeats had reduced the Army to a small, exhausted, and demoralized force. Washington's success at Trenton reinvigorated the American cause and kept the Revolution alive.
The painting captures the drama, danger, and desperation of the river crossing, even though a number of details are historically inaccurate, such as the type of boat. The artist, Emanuel Luenze, grew up and was trained in Philadelphia, but created the painting in 1850 after he returned to his native Germany. The painting was a sensation when it was displayed in America the following year.
The sculpture is a donation from Dr. QiongZhao (Ellen) Schicktanz, a naturalized Asian-American artist, in gratitude for her life as an American Citizen.
* North wall. Museum of the American Revolution. South side of Chestnut, East of 3rd.
* 39.948495,-75.145650 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Emanuel Leutze page
+americangoddessartmuseum.com (Ellen Schicktanz)
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page
+amrevmuseum.org

When I was Hungry and Thirsty
Timothy Schmalz, 2017 (installed)
* statue of Jesus
* small sitting person, head covered, chalice and plate, Christian symbolism
* Only one of the casts pictured on the artist's site includes the plate and chalice.
* inscription:
The Hungry and Thirsty Jesus
Matthew 25;35
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in...
* In front of the Episcopal Cathedral. East side of 38th, North of Chestnut.
* 39.955750,-75.198070 [map] [nearby]
* On the Chestnut 29th to 40th tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+sculpturebytps.com
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+philadelphiacathedral.org

While Everything Is Happening Everywhere Else
Isaiah Zagar, 2017
* abstract heads, hats, dog
* Wall. Lombard and Isemenger (North side of Lombard between 12th and 13th).
* 39.944450,-75.162700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Lombard-South tour
* Exhibits: Black Lives, Mosaic
* See also:
+phillymagicgardens.org