Noted Dutch artists Jeroen Koolhaas and Dre Urhahn, also known as
Haas&Hahn, have given new meaning to the phrase "blocks of color." Using more than 50 storefronts on Germantown Avenue as a canvas, the pair and their partners at Mural Arts have created a striking piece of public art. The bright, ambitious mural, “Philly Painting,” will be dedicated and celebrated with a parade at
11 a.m. Saturday, December 1, at 1007 West Lehigh Avenue.
Launched in a historic area ravaged by time and blight, this community effort between the artists, shop owners, twenty muralists and five members of Mural Arts’
Adult Restorative Justice Program brings attention to the area through a vibrant rainbow spectrum of contrasting coats of paint. Each storeowner chose their colors, and the artists faced the task of fusing diverse tastes and architectural shapes into one coherent piece.
Jane Golden, executive director of the Mural Arts Program, will speak at the dedication. “For Haas & Hahn, creative placemaking goes deeper than garnering attention for paint on walls," she explained in a statement. "They believe that public art is only successful when it comes from community, involves community, and is sustained by community. Mural Arts thought they would be the perfect fit to a project we had been planning with the Commerce Department to revitalize a several-block stretch of historic Germantown Avenue.”
In addition to a spirited parade featuring musicians and performers, the dedication will feature speeches from Council President Darrell Clarke, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Director of Commerce Alan Greenberger, and Officer Tyshaan Williams of the Philadelphia Police Department's 25th District. Haas&Hahn will also describe the design process and their experience working in Germantown; the “Philly Painting” crew will introduce each speaker and tell anecdotes.
Riding along with the mural on the 23 bus provides a three dimensional viewing for the price of a token. If you're looking for a throwback experience, hope on the
North Philadelphia Mural Arts Trolley Tour—it will spotlight “Philly Painting” on November 28 and December 2.
Project partners include the James L. Knight Foundation, City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce, Philadelphia Planning Commission, Interface Studio, The Village of Arts and Humanities, NET Neighborhood Enrichment and Transformation CDC, and the Philadelphia Police Department's 25th District.
BONNIE MACALLISTER is a multi-media artist, grant writer and journalist residing in West Philly. Her work has appeared in Tom Tom Magazine, Toronto Quarterly, Nth Position (U.K.) and Grasp (Czech Republic). Send feedback here.