In 2014 and 2018, I made day-trips to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania/USA. Both times, a spur-of-the-moment decision. I recently realized that I’d not critically looked through all the photos in order to edit them down to favorites. I’m ticked off at myself for not going through them sooner because I now see they include some awesome imagery that didn’t stick in my memories. And, I’ve learned so much more about history, culture, technology, science and life.
History that includes the incarceration of Al Capone, this prison is now a museum of incarceration.
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site interprets the legacy of American criminal justice reform, from the nation’s founding through to the present day, within the long-abandoned cellblocks of the nation’s most historic prison.
In peering through one of the cell doors, is this view. I’ve seen a few cell blocks in my life but none like this one. Castle Williams on Governors Island NYC—a US Army Prison to name one. Gratefully, I’ve never served time for anything!
I traveled like a tourist those days—going places that most tourists would go. Duh! 🤨 I was a Tourist. Reading Market, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Chinatown, Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Though I traveled as a tourist, I didn’t photograph as if I were one. Visual creativity is always at the forefront of my telling a visual story.
Food courts are to food what shopping malls used to be to clothing/retail. Malls had their food courts as well, but they’re not on par with today’s upscaled, contemporary food courts. Reading Market has a density of vendors that’s impressive.
This Native American Indian Statue as part of a monument water fountain to George Washington, got my attention. Sculptor Rudolf Siemering dedicated the monument in 1897 in another section of the city. It was moved to its current location in 1928 which happens to be in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
There’s a lot that can be unpacked about representation and perceptions in America today from this statue. George Washington’s Statue (he’s mounted on a horse) is so high up on the pedestal, that his face is barely visible unless you stand further away. That must’ve been the reason why I didn’t even attempt to photograph that part of the monument. Learn more with this YouTube video.
I unofficially tallied four statues of George Washington in Philadelphia. This bronze one above replaced the original marble version (1869) that was moved inside to Philadelphia’s City Hall in 1910. Sculptor, Joseph Alexis Bailly.
Pennsylvania as one of the original thirteen colonies, aged as seen here in Philadelphia—filled with the remnants of history. Similar historical characteristics would be evident in other cities of the thirteen colonies.
As I look at these photographs six to ten years from their making, I no longer see them in the same way as when I was there photographing. They’re no longer just a photographic representation of a time and place for me. They hold emotional, historic and cultural notes about America. Its history and values, and how those values permeate time. It takes a lot of effort to move past complacency and gain a new perspective of interpreting history under various contexts.
I always knew positive results can happen when actions are taken on a whim.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this visual story, happy to know that you’ve read it through. If you’ve any comments or thoughts, please share them.
Til next time…
Kenneth