I discovered a city that rivals Renaissance Italy, America’s
own Philadelphia. Like the frescos that covered buildings in 16th
Century Europe, magnificent murals decorate the City of Brotherly Love. You
will find more than 2000 murals, ranging from one to eight stories, painted on
walls of schools, community centers and public buildings. The quality of the
artworks is remarkable in its creation and composition. The images are
realistic or imaginative, beautifully painted and totally engaging, not an easy
task for artists working on such larger-than-life surfaces. The enormous scale
of these artworks presents unique problems. Scaffolding must be constructed and
special acrylic paint and sealers used, contributing to a total cost per mural
of between $10,000 and $15,000. One of
my favorites is the window-reflected church on Walnut St. (near 22nd St.) The
fact that no church actually exists, nor are there any real bricks or windows,
makes this mural all the more magical. When you see it, you will automatically
turn around to view the church, only to find a gas station. In 1995, Sunoco
commissioned artist Michael Webb and Susan Maxman Architects to design and
execute the mural of the St James Episcopal Church that had filled that corner
from 1870 to 1946.
The murals throughout the city are quite varied, crafted by
different artists for different purposes. Some depict everyday people, as in The
Steppers, a local drill team. Others pay homage to famous sons such as
Mario Lanza, Dr. J, and Maxfield Parrish. Many, like The Peace Wall,
have special themes, and some reflect distant places, as in Brazilian
Rainforest.
The murals serve to unify the neighborhoods and to bring art
to the public. The city is literally a giant al fresco art exhibit, the
largest of its kind anywhere and a model for urban revitalization. Originally
conceived to eliminate graffiti, the Mural Arts Program (MAP) began in 1984
under the direction of Jane Golden and the title Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti
Network. Graffiti writers were among the first to participate. Now professional
and emerging artists, art students and youthful artists, along with would-be
taggers, work on the designs and completion of the actual paintings. The
eight-story high mural, Common Threads, at Broad and Spring
Garden Streets is another of my favorites. Created in 1998, this multi-figured
picture illustrates the connections of culture throughout time. Images of
contemporary students are paired with people from history. Imitative poses
reiterate the common-thread theme. It is the large, central figure, however,
who will thoroughly capture your attention. A young Black girl, dressed in a
satiny pink blouse, fingers her long hair as if lost in contemplation. Her gaze
seems to be inward, while her position, facing directly at the viewer, projects
confidence and draws us into the picture. The murals are so popular, the city
offers trolley tours and provides self-guided driving tours.
