Exhibitions
In the Gallery:
The View From 915
May 1 - 31, 2012
In 1981, the fourth floor of the historic Reading Building at 915 Spring Garden Street was leased for studio space by local artists Steve Donegan and Syd Carpenter. They sublet their extra space to a group of painters, potters, framers and graphic designers. Eventually over 100 artists' studios filled the entire five floors and basement of the building. During the past 30 years, nearly 500 Philadelphia artists have worked there. The tenants include recent art school graduates and a roster of nationally and internationally known artists.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary, this show celebrates works done over the years depicting "The View from 915" in painted and photographic images. The exhibition reveals how the urban landscape has changed over time and the varied ways artists depict the same views. Artwork will be for sale. Curated by Carol Cole.
Upcoming:
Canstruction
May 5 - 12, 2012 @ the Rotunda of The Shops At Liberty Place, 16th & Chestnut Streets
Mon–Sat: 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sundays: 12 – 6 p.m.
Our annual design challenge and food-bank benefit, Canstruction, returns to the rotunda at Liberty Place this May. Part of a national competition, local architecture firms compete by building amazing sculptures out of donated cans of food. These impressive structures remain on display for a week before being dismantled to help fill the cupboards at area food banks. Every year, Philadelphia teams use nearly 65,000 cans of food in their creations before they are eaten.
Smarter Living: The 2,000 Watt Society
May 29 - July 20, 2012
A person needs 17,500 kilowatt-hours a year on global average, corresponding to a continuous requirement of 2,000 watts. In Switzerland, the figure is three times higher, i.e., 6,000 watts per person, and in the U.S. the figure is currently approximately 6 times higher. The Smarter Living: The 2,000-Watt Society exhibition shows how the requirements of the 2,000-watt society can be combined with outstanding architecture. It uses 18 examples to illustrate different approaches to sustainable architecture such as complex technical solutions and clever references to traditional construction methods, small buildings and very large projects, conversions and new city districts.
This exhibition is made possible by Swissnex (Consulate of Switzerland), Cleantech Switzerland, Stadt Zurich, Novatlantis, the Embassy of Switzerland in the United States, Presence Switzerland, State Secretariat for Education and Research, and the Philadelphia Center for Architecture.
Neon Art: Folk, Found, & Fine
June 4 - Jul 27, 2012
Organized by Philadelphia's own neon artist, Len Davidson, this exhibition will feature artwork created by local craftsmen and artisans using the fun and funky technology of neon lighting. FOLK pieces are typically those made by commercial sign tubebenders or tinkerers who are usually untrained in fine art. FOUND pieces are objects that utilize neon along with found objects. FINE pieces are made with galleries and the fine art market in mind, or are pieces that might be seen in such venues.
All three categories have rarely been exhibited in Philadelphia, and the Center's semi-permanent collection of 13 antique neon signs (from Davidson's fledgling Neon Museum of Philadelphia) will add to the experience, and provide a commercial contrast to the art pieces. Many pieces will be for sale.
Semi-Permanent:
Vintage Neon
On loan from Davidson Neon and the Neon Museum of Philadelphia, www.davidsonneon.com
This luminous exhibition contains over a dozen historic neon signs, most from the golden era of neon, the 1930s through the 1950s. The collection includes dazzling local and national examples of this 20th Century art form, including a winking Buster Brown, running Greyhound Bus Line logo, and a local favorite - McGillin's Old Ale House. The exhibition unofficially continues on the streets of Philadelphia, where examples of Davidson Neon's work can be seen around town, including the newly restored signs at the Reading Terminal Market just a half block from the Center.
Open now!
3-D Model of Center City Philadelphia
Come view this miniature model of Center City Philadelphia which includes the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and City Hall, among other notable features.
Open now!
Iconic Philadelphia Architecture Photographs
These stunning images of iconic Philadelphia architecture were taken by
Wyatt Gallery for the Center's publication "Philadelphia Architecture: A
Guide to the City, 3rd Edition," which is available for purchase in the
AIA Bookstore & Design Center.
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