Labyrinth

artist Sam Durant

Labyrinth from above shortly after installation | Photo by Steve Weinik

Sam Durant addressed the quagmire of criminal justice by placing a 40 x 40 foot maze made of chain link fencing in Thomas Paine Plaza, across the street from Philadelphia’s City Hall. The public interacted with the maze by hanging personal items on the structure, using it as a platform to address issues surrounding mass incarceration. The maze functioned as a double metaphor, symbolizing not only the struggle of criminals caught in the Department of Corrections but how, as a society, we are all navigating the labyrinth of mass incarceration.

Project Photos 

  • View from the City Hall observation deck | Photo by Steve Weinik

  • Labyrinth with artwork and messages attached | Photo by Steve Weinik

  • Labyrinth with artwork attached | Photo by Steve Weinik

  • Labyrinth with artwork attached | Photo by Steve Weinik

  • Labyrinth with artwork and messages attached | Photo by Steve Weinik

  • Labyrinth with artwork and messages attached | Photo by Steve Weinik

  • Artist Sam Durant inspects the installation of Labyrinth | Photo by Steve Weinik

  • Labyrinth with artwork attached | Photo by Steve Weinik

  • Labyrinth with artwork attached | Photo by Steve Weinik

  • A message tied to the Labyrinth sculpture | Photo by Steve Weinik

  • Labyrinth from the roof of the Municipal Services Building | Photo by Steve Weinik

Open Source is presented by: 

Lead corporate support provided by 

Generous additional support provided by: 

Christian R. & Mary F. Lindback Foundation, City of Philadelphia, Ford Foundation, The Barra Foundation, Sadie Coles HQ London, Paula Cooper Gallery New York, and Blum & Poe Los Angeles, New York, and Tokyo.

For a complete listing of Open Source sponsors, visit the Open Source landing page.

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