About Re-PLACE-ing Philadelphia

 

A project of the Painted Bride Art Center, Re-PLACE-ing Philadelphia is building an expanded archive of cultural memory that includes multiple histories, re-place-ing the established with new narratives and understandings. ​

Building on a foundation of public dialogue and interaction, this project utilizes art-making as a lens for viewing the city and its history, examining the geography of Philadelphia and its complex histories as a basis for exploring relevant issues. 

 

Several key questions frame this project.

  • How, by using the city as subject, can new narratives be constructed to help us to recover forgotten histories in order to re-imagine future possibilities?
  • How might these new narratives get written, told or performed through artistic practices or imaginative acts?
  • And, is there a way to create an expanded archive of cultural memory that includes multiple histories?
     

Re-PLACE-ing Philadelphia has engaged three Artists/Thinkers: Reggie Wilson, Faustin Linyekula, and Marty Pottenger, who are creating new works with people in Philadelphia, catalyzing the question: What shapes this city's history? A series of performances, exhibitions, and events will be staged at the Bride and throughout the city in April 2016. See Events for more details.

 

This website includes Field Notes that narrate the project's multiple approaches, both documenting the processes of the Artists/Thinkers and building an archive of contributions from artists and community members that consider Philadelphia via the street, trees, sound, rivers, food, and other portals. We're inviting YOU to be a part of this archive. Explore Field Notes and then submit your own.

 

For a more in-depth view of the project, visit our Vimeo page which has original videos documenting the Re-PLACE-ing Philadelphia project from beginning to end.

 

Re-PLACE-ing Philadelphia has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.

Share