Sightlines
Love Park Public Art Commission, City of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Finalist Proposal 2014
Concept, design, and execution: Wes Heiss & Marek Walczak
9 sculptures based on iconic buildings in Philadelphia. Each distorted piece is located at the perimeter of John F. Kennedy Plaza, locally known as Love Park. They all appear warped and confusing until one stands in alignment with the direction of the actual building it represents. Only then will it come into undistorted focus
This proposal was designed to connect visitors to a variety of historical sites while responding to the call’s request to “not compete with iconic LOVE sculpture by Robert Indiana. The piece was then conceived as a treasure hunt of mysterious objects that one might walk right by. Once seen however they motivate a search for more.
An areal map of Philadelphia and site plan of Love Park. The 9 sculptures are positioned around the perimeter, each located in the direction of the building they are based on.
Townhomes from Elfreth's Alley, one of the oldest continuously occupied streets in the US. Looking inside the windows you can see historic plans of the houses.
Gloria Dei or "Old Swedes' Church" is the oldest church in Pennsylvania. When viewing the church it will seem distorted from everywhere (right) except when you are in line with the actual church's location (left).
Comcast tower is significant element of the Philadelphia skyline. Here the building has been reduced in size, anamorphically warped, and turned into a free public phone charger.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is visible from Love Park down the long axis of Benjamin Franklin Parkway. By standing in the right spot you can superimpose the small sculptural representation over the actual building in the distance.
Looking the other way along Benjamin Franklin Parkway you can see the iconic City Hall. Looking inside the distorted sculpture there are images of the daily activity inside the building.
Marion Anderson Recreation Center plays a vital role in the city and honors the African-American singer who fought to overcome racial prejudice.
Dating to the late 19th century, Calcutta Mills is situated about 7 miles away from the site in Frankford and was a major site of industrial production. Looking inside the sculpture you can see a kaleidoscopic images of activity.