fishtown portal boxes

Since moving to Philadelphia, I’ve noticed its neighborhoods have such stark contrasts. Similar to Chicago, you’ll have areas that are incredibly beautiful, with wonderful homes, trees, and public art, and then just a few blocks later an area that literally looks like the aftermath of a bombing. I’ve since learned that Philadelphia was actually bombed in 1985 by its own police department and I think the city still lives somewhere in the shadow of that fact and it shows, even in areas not directly attacked. As a Black artist, I think I carry unique dual access to both of these environments and this is what I’ve tried to implement into these installations. I’m thinking about classism, perception of value, and whether each of these spaces exists oblivious to one another. These boxes intend to be portals as well as echolocation devices for residents to gain perspective into alternate realities right here in Philadelphia.

A primary goal of my work is cultural introspection and by installing these works in these specific areas, my aim was at a very specific audience that may not be aware they’re being spoken to.

On the corner of Frankford and Girard,

“Damn, dam, damned” almost literally illustrates the jaws of consumerism. Pandora's box or Louis’ Box, in this case, reveals its contents with a space flooded with idle figures waiting for the next product to devour-unaware they are being devoured themselves. 

At Columbia and Girard,

On the street-facing corner of the box, three figures operate an engine-like device that manipulates time and space. The idea behind this illustration is in response to the expectations or statistics placed on Black men. Rather than accept these spells, these figures know that their future will be seen by their own eyes first despite the predictions.

The opposite corner of the same box depicts a scene of figures on a mountainside enjoying their privilege oblivious to the figures who built the foundation for it.

My hope is that by adding these works to these communities, insight can be expanded beyond what social media can provide.

Additional images can be found here.