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Contributor is exactly
Ben Troy
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2020-10-06
VOTE! or else.
With the virtue of our country’s future president dependent on Pennsylvania the infamous swing state, street art like this is more than typical on the walls throughout Philly. It is powerful. I cannot stress enough how many times my Mom signed me up with election campaigns, poll ballot services, and volunteers from the State House. I believe we will look back on this election in the midst of a global pandemic and be able to reflect on it like no other. From outbursts of protests, riots, and looting’s, to the BLM movement, to lockdowns, all of these factors heavily affected Philadelphia, essentially influencing the outcome of the 2020 election. I believe through political murals like this reassure our 1st amendment during times like these. Given all the things the pandemic has abruptly stripped us of, it has provided us with the beauty of proactiveness and opportunity in political art. -
2020-10-23
A Distanced Reality
Instructions, requirements, and signifiers inevitably invade my sight on the once-bustling streets of Philadelphia. This is an image of a square graphic glued to the sidewalk on South Street, a historic and well-known place in Philly. This graphic has been sponsored and done by Philadelphia Mural Arts historic center was founded to help eradicate graffiti. As a design student, I quickly noticed how artists and designers were using their resourcefulness during these times of uncertainty to take advantage of their visual skills to communicate the precautions of the CDC. With technology allowing me to virtually connect better than it ever has been able in the past to my friends, family, and loved ones, I realize it cannot provide to us that tangible human connection we all have experienced before within 6 feet. Although there may have been efforts to remove and peel away this graphic there will never be a removal of the effects and tolls the Coronavirus has taken on our world, country, and beloved cities.