Old City

This summer I participated in “Tri-Co”, a program where Swarthmore, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr students discuss social justice, equity, and diversity.  During one caucus we touched on the Norristown High Speed Line and how Bi-Co students often refer to it as “sketchy”.  What was it about the train that made students afraid or uncomfortable and what exactly did they mean by “sketchy”?  The upperclassman agreed that it attracted more minorities and working class people rather than the business men and women that typically use the R5.  When I boarded the train on Saturday, I found it to be like any typical New York City train cart.  There were a larger range of people on board which included large families, construction workers, and students. 

After we transferred to the Market-Frankford line, however, I could see how the crowd might make students uncomfortable.  There were several homeless people on board that tried to strike up conversations with the people around them.  One man in front of me continually yelled at every passenger that carried a bottled drink, turned around in his seat and stared my group and I down, and muttered profanities under his breath.  Being raised in New York definitely taught me to put my guard up and expect the worse when in these situations.  Although the homeless people in New York aren’t typically as aggressive, I’m used to receiving attention from them.

            I left the station determined to visit galleries and find murals in Old City and be able compare it to those on South Street.  Mary Flanagan states that a true artist refers to “those who are creating outside the commercial establishments, and often, those who are ‘making’ for ‘making’s sake’”(Flanagan 3).  While exploring the street of Old City, I kept my eye for places, people, and setups that met this description.  I found many independent galleries that I visited, specifically “Wexler Gallery” which exhibited mainly sculpture.  Strolling around, I additionally saw a lot of graffiti, street art, and murals – some of the things Philly is best known for.  Compared to New York and most other states I’ve visited, I’ve noticed how much more Philadelphia embraces street art.  Graffiti seems to be almost encouraged as it draws in a good deal of tourists and art enthusiasts.  Flanagan would surely consider graffiti true as the artist clearly made it for “makings sake” and rarely receives credit. 

            A few mosaics by Isaiah Zagar were also spotted on this trip.  We passed by “Skin of the Bride” a building covered in Zagar’s signature tiles, mirrors, and three armed men.  As I said in my previous paper, Isaiah Zagar is an excellent example of an artist; “Magic Gardens” is nonprofit and neither fame nor riches motivate Zagar.  This building was just as exquisite as the previous works I had seen on South Street and attracted many passer byers to stop in their track.  It was amazing how his mosaic brightened up the street and drew in so much attention. 

            Where I found music to be the backbone of South Street I thought Old City was, as its name implies, very historical.  I found it interesting and very impressive how hard Old City works to preserve and intensity its historic roots.  Elfreth’s Alley was one of the first places we visited after we arrived.  The old buildings, horse fountains, statues, and alleyways also read as street art and sculpture to me.  Towards the end of the day my group and I visited Franklin Fountain, an old-fashioned ice cream shop.  The workers were dressed in traditional historic apparel, which added to the authentic feel.  Along with authenticity, however, it felt like performance art.   Much like I experienced in South Street Philadelphia, exploring Old City was like exploring a museum.