How Philly Moves

© 2010 Jacques-Jean Tiziou, the Philadelphia Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Mural Arts Advocates. Final Photo © 2011 Joel Avery

About the Project 

How Philly Moves provides a visually stunning gateway at the Philadelphia International Airport via a nearly 85,000-square-foot mural incorporating the photographic work and design of artist Jacques-Jean “JJ” Tiziou.

The mural celebrates Philadelphia and transforms the airport’s parking garage into a welcoming and memorable gateway to the region for travelers and visitors from all over the world. Across the top decks of the garage, luminous dancing figures swirl, unified in a rich field of black, giving viewers a first taste of the liveliness that awaits them in the City of Brotherly Love. From I-95, at 55 miles per hour, the energy of their movements will be unmistakable.

How Philly Moves. Photo by Steve Weinik.

How Philly Moves builds on Philadelphia’s longstanding commitment to the production of public art and provides a dynamic and iconic new ‘postcard’ image for the city. Leading the team of muralists was Jon Laidacker, who was joined by Tjai Abdullah, Efrain Hererra, Charles Newman, Anthony Peel, Virgilio Perez, Laura Velez, and Tom Walton.

Other aspects of How Philly Moves include a documentary produced by The Big Picture Alliance and a permanent exhibition inside the airport’s public space which will provide context for the project as a whole.

© 2010 Jacques-Jean Tiziou, the Philadelphia Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Mural Arts Advocates. Final Photo © 2011 Joel Avery

© 2010 Jacques-Jean Tiziou, the Philadelphia Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Mural Arts Advocates. Final Photo © 2011 Joel Avery

Sponsors 

How Philly Moves is sponsored by the Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia Parking Authority, Bank of America, PTS Foundation, and US Airways. Our artists’ studio space in The Gallery at Market East was donated by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust. Special thanks to Local 21 for its preparation of the garage walls in advance of the murals installation in April 2011.