PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A North Philadelphia neighborhood outside of Temple University is getting attention for an exhibit curated by members of the community working with local and national artists.
"Staying Power is a collaboration between Monument Lab and the Village of Arts and Humanities, asking about folks' staying power in a changing world and a changing neighborhood," said Qiara Riley, who leads tours of the work that spans over blocks of what's known as The Village Campus.
Riley says people have come from New York, France and elsewhere to see the village's so-called "monuments." Each installation tells a story of inequities that have blighted the area — gentrification, violence, mass incarceration.
"Above us are 200 light bulbs. Those 200 light bulbs represent the 200 women in Philadelphia jails and prisons serving life without parole," Riley says, introducing one of the monuments.
"And then, on this back side, is a black silhouetted image. And it represents the women who will ultimately end up passing away in prison, because they have life without parole."
Residents have easy access to the installations of the Staying Power exhibit.Antionette Lee/KYW Newsradio
Residents have easy access to the exhibit, with monuments posted on buildings and open lots around the neighborhood. It's meant to uplift the voices and legacies of the neighborhood.
Another main attraction is an 8-foot-tall grandfather clock that functions as an oral history booth.
"You press the button on the clock, and you can record your voice," Riley explains.
It was created by a duo called Black Quantum Futurism, comprising Camae Ayewa and Rasheedah Phillips of North Philadelphia.
A "monument" built to mimic a grandfather clock functions as an oral history booth at the Staying Power exhibit.Antionette Lee/KYW Newsradio
Staying Power is free and open until July 10.
