Journeys South

Journeys South moves public art “off the wall” and invites you to examine the richly layered and evolving immigrant histories of South Philadelphia through four unique interactive community-based public art projects and free public tours that celebrate the stories of immigrants and their descendants—both long-time and new residents—to South Philadelphia.

The seven artists creating each part of Journeys South, five of whom were born and raised and/or currently reside in South Philadelphia, worked with community members, historians, and folklorists to gain a deeper understanding of the culture and history of South Philadelphia's legendary neighborhoods.  

These four temporary works of public art will be on exhibition from April 27—June 11, 2011 at various locations along South 9^th Street and East Passyunk Avenue, bordered by Christian Street to the north and West Moore Street to the south.

• Street Market Awnings: “Different Paths, One Market” – Awnings that shelter eight curbside vendor stalls lining the Italian Market on S. 9th Street between Christian Street and Washington Avenue are transformed into an outdoor gallery of Market memories.  Accompanying video interviews with Market vendors, workers, store owners, and residents will be on view Saturdays from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at Pronto, 920 S. 9^th Street (between Montrose & Hall Streets). Michelle Angela Ortiz, painter and printmaker; Tony Rocco, documentary photographer

• Footprint Journeys: “Start Here” – Miro Dance Theatre’s series of five footprint journeys installed on the sidewalks of the 1700 block of East Passyunk Avenue trace choreographies of immigration to South Philadelphia and are accompanied by a video and audio installation at Monastero Barbershop, 1722 East Passyunk Avenue. The barbershop will be open Thursdays and Fridays from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm and Saturdays from 10 am – 4 pm. Amanda Miller, choreographer; Tobin Rothlein, video artist.

• Poetic Broadsides: “Neighbor Ballads” – The immigrant stories of seven South Philadelphians are told though poetry and portraits that pay homage to the contributions each has made to shaping the character of South Philadelphia. These broadside ballads are available for free from honor boxes installed on seven street corners along South 9^th Street and East Passyunk Avenue, between Carpenter and South 12^th Streets. Frank Sherlock, poet; Erik Ruin, print artist.

• Hand-Crafted Zoetrope: “7^th Street Memory Box” – A life-size zoetrope juxtaposes images of the historically Eastern European Jewish 7th and Wolf Streets neighborhood with portraits of its residents. This modern-day version of a zoetrope—originally invented in 1834 as an early animation device—will be on view to the public in various locations along South 9^th Street and East Passyunk Avenue on Saturdays between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.  RA Friedman, fine art photographer.

Excerpt from "Start Here" video installation by miro / Amanda Miller and Tobin Rothlein
Pictured: Samnon Mao Chan

FREE walking tours of Journeys South will depart each Saturday from Pronto, 920 South 9^th Street (at Montrose Street) at 10:00 am beginning Saturday, April 30 through Saturday, June 11.

REGISTER FOR A FREE WALKING TOUR HERE

Journeys South has been funded by The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, through the Heritage Philadelphia Program.

Media Partners



Journeys South In the News

Click here to read a Philadelphia City Paper cover story on the Journeys South project
Click here to watch CBS Philly's coverage of the Journeys South project
Click here to read the Philadelphia Inquirer's coverage of the Journeys South project
Click here to read WHYY's coverage of the Journeys South project
Click here to read Al Día's coverage of the Journeys South project
Click here to read the South Philly Review's coverage of the Journeys South project

Photography by Steve Weinik