Show Me the Benjamins!
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Wondering why you've seen Ben Franklin all around town lately?
Ever since Chicago's Cows on Parade, cities around the country have been catching on to the idea that using sculpture as public art - be it in the form of pigs, dogs, more cows or other creatures -- is a great way to draw visitors, build interest, and generate significant income for their communities. Aside from their aesthetic value, sculptures can also be useful as educational tools around a theme, such as history. Philadelphia LISC, in partnership with the Mural Arts Program, has created "Show me the Benjamins", a public art project featuring10 life-size Benjamin Franklin statues placed in neighborhoods across the city. The project coincides with the city of Philadelphia's major celebration of Benjamin Franklin's 300th birthday and an auction of the statues will occur right around his 301st birthday on January 17th, 2007.
The “Bens,” crafted in resin by The Theme Factory and hand-painted by local artists in their studios and in space generously donated by the Norris Square Presbyterian Church, will be displayed throughout the month of December in commercial corridors throughout the city in an effort to entice shoppers during this busy holiday season. They will be sited near several partner organizations, including the Hispanic Association of Contractors & Enterprises (HACE), Mt. Airy USA, New Kensington CDC, Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corporation, People's Emergency Center, Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, the Girard Coalition, Roxborough Development Corporation and the University City District.
Neighborhood participation was key in the design of this project. Efforts were made to especially reach out to neighborhoods with vibrant corridors, a strong sense of identity, and good local organizations (CDCs) that could oversee the artwork in their areas. Celebrating the diversity of Philadelphians, some of the statues are inspired by the character of the local neighborhood, such as a "Latino Franklin" on 5th Street, "African-American Franklin" on Ogontz Avenue and "Asian Franklin" in Chinatown. By spreading the statues around the city, the project helps these neighborhoods gain visibility by enabling them to participate in what would otherwise be just a City Center event. In addition, the communities will gain some income through the auction of the sculptures at the end of the project.