Apr 20, 2017

Say Hello to Our New Communications Manager

by: Laura Kochman

Meet our new Communications Manager, Laura Kochman! She’s a Northeast native with a background in contemporary poetry and art history. We asked Laura a few questions to kick off her first week.

Let’s start with the basics. Where are you from?

I grew up in New Jersey, but my family is from Northeast Philadelphia. I moved back to the city a few years ago after spending almost a decade in the deep South. I’m happy to be back, and excited to be a part of Mural Arts Philadelphia!

 

Love Letter © 2009 Steve Powers. Photo by Adam Wallacavage.

What’s your favorite mural?

I hope this isn’t too predictable, coming from a writer, but I’m a little in love with Steve Powers’ Love Letters series in West Philadelphia along the Market-Frankford line. The graphic nature of the murals speaks to the history of building-side ads that you can still see on older buildings throughout the city, and it’s fun to catch the murals peeking out from unexpected places as you ride the train. It’s actually the wistful character of the project that I love, though—Powers worked closely with the community to develop the messages, and the combination of text and image makes a nod to everyday moments of connection and disconnection, touched as they are by thoughts of economy and loneliness. Lines like “I Got the Butter / I Got the Bread / I Got the Milk / I Got the Blame” and “If You Were Here I’d Be Home Now” just gut me.

Which spring 2017 Mural Arts project are you most excited about?

There are so many exciting projects happening, from the new Porch Light Kensington storefront to the culmination of Voices. I’m particularly excited about Radio Silence, which comes together this July for a live event and continues with radio episodes in August. The project reconstructs a version of Iraq that no longer exists, calling out into the airwaves toward the missing and lost, weaving experiences together to create a public space that is auditory instead of visual. It’s both intensely personal and politically relevant on a global scale.

 

Photo by Steve Weinik.

What mural did you get in that quiz?

I got Steve Powers’ Love Letters. The mural quiz is eerily accurate.

Soft pretzels or water ice?

Soft pretzels.

Last updated: Apr 20, 2017

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share Your Thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Dr Nancy H Brown DO says

We wish Laura Kochman best wishes in her new job opportunity!