Putting the largest mural in America on the PSFS building?

**raider.adam** · 10-10-2012, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by Scoats

At first glance this would seem to be a truly stupid idea, simply because the PSFS Building is our city's most important building from an architectural perspective.

It also doesn't help that the people proposing this didn't include any renderings.

That said I'm keeping an open mind. Something subtle could be extraordinary, taking a masterpiece and making even it more masterful.

And then if anyone ever proposed building something that would block the view of it, it would give people reasons to block development.

Hey if Lowes wants to spend their own money to paint their building, they can go for it, but I think it is silly for City Hall to pay for it. I don't think a pissing match with Omaha is a budget priority.

**mixiboi** · 10-10-2012, 10:31 AM

Oh Adam, what could block the view of it?

**Jayfar** · 10-19-2012, 06:18 PM

Changing Skyline: A mural for PSFS? No need to cover up a classic

"The back wall was left blank because that's where the elevators are. In William H. Jordy's definitive 1962 essay on PSFS, he notes that the rear facade was Howe's favorite."

**ScottBudman** · 10-19-2012, 09:46 PM

This is either a joke or a proposition from some hipster.

**supersupper** · 10-19-2012, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by Scoats

At first glance this would seem to be a truly stupid idea, simply because the PSFS Building is our city's most important building from an architectural perspective.

It also doesn't help that the people proposing this didn't include any renderings.

That said I'm keeping an open mind. Something subtle could be extraordinary, taking a masterpiece and making even it more masterful.

I kinda agree with you.

It's really weird how so many people oooh and ahhh over sticking up building wraps and electronic ADVERTISING on an even more historic structure than the PSFS because its SOOOO interesting enough to being able to "REVITALIZE" East Market (whatever the h-E-double toothpicks that means)...

And then all of a sudden some artist-type (keep in mind it was an artist-type who dreamed up the PSFS building in the first place) wants to do something creative..... and its "OMG the horror" !!!!!

The hypocrisy makes me think maybe this could be a good idea afterall.

**The Count** · 10-20-2012, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by mixiboi

That is the dream:

Sign This Petition and Let’s Put a Mural on the Back of the PSFS Building!! « Streets Dept

IT is kinda boring back there....

What is this propensity to sh!t up truly unique and awesome architecture in Philly?

May as well put some hard "South Philly" awnings over all the widows while you're at it.

**Scoats** · 10-20-2012, 09:12 AM

20121019_inq_sky19z-x.JPG

Well a proposed mural for PSFS is now online. Maybe a mural like that has a place somewhere, but not on the PSFS Building.

**Malloy** · 10-20-2012, 09:38 AM

Awful.

**Hospitalitygirl** · 10-20-2012, 09:53 AM

No. Just no.

**Hospitalitygirl** · 10-20-2012, 09:54 AM

If there is a mural proposal online, is now the time to put up a petition asking that no one craps up that building?

And for the record, supersupper, I don't want electronic displays on the Lits Building either.

**annie** · 10-20-2012, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Scoats

Attachment 142

Well a proposed mural for PSFS is now online. Maybe a mural like that has a place somewhere, but not on the PSFS Building.

Painting the PSFS: What A Steve Powers and NoseGo Collaborative PSFS Mural Might Look Like « Streets Dept

I don't know if I would call that a proposal so much as some idiot copying existing murals, mashing them together and calling it his "illustration." The "IF YOU WERE HERE I'D BE HOME" is from the Love Letters mural viewable from the El except that, unlike this sample, that mural is actually good:

I don't know if there are any two existing murals in the city that could be mashed together without looking like crap. Not that I'm saying a PSFS mural is a good idea.

**supersupper** · 10-20-2012, 10:56 AM

That image was not a proposal, just giving an idea of how it might work, with a little tongue-in-cheek humor.

Personally, I love young enthusiasm.

**annie** · 10-20-2012, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by supersupper

That image was not a proposal, just giving an idea of how it might work, with a little tongue-in-cheek humor.

StreetsDept doesn't seem to be in on the joke then since they seem to think it's awesome, unless they're trolling everyone which would be a strange way to try to move their idea forward. Unless the whole thing is trolling? My head hurts.

**supersupper** · 10-20-2012, 11:11 AM

Miami Modern, a combination of international style and Latin/Caribbean/tropical design.

1963- Puerto Rican architect Enrique Gutierrez of Sacmag International. It's an eight story tower housing the Bacardi Museum on the first level, a dining room on the top level, and office space on the floors in between.*Twenty-eight thousand white and blue hand-painted 6" x 6" ceramic*tiles*cover the north and south facades in a Spanish style mural*by Brazilian artist Francisco Brennand.*

Not that i am totally endorsing the idea.. yet. But part of the problem is that people only equate murals with bad art. and thats not always true.

**supersupper** · 10-20-2012, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by annie

StreetsDept doesn't seem to be in on the joke then since they seem to think it's awesome, unless they're trolling everyone which would be a strange way to try to move their idea forward. Unless the whole thing is trolling? My head hurts.

the joke was "you'd be home by now".... you see it everywhere..... really people.

**raider.adam** · 10-20-2012, 12:14 PM

As I said before, the premise of doing something just so we can beat Omaha is a poor reason for doing something.

While we are at it, let's use the lot at Broad and Washington and make the world's largest ball of twine to say "suck it Darwin, Minnesota!"

**annie** · 10-20-2012, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by supersupper

the joke was "you'd be home by now".... you see it everywhere..... really people.

Yeah the mural I posted IS a Steve Powers mural, exactly what StreetsDept says the illustrator was going for with his mock up "collaboration." The Love Letter project is mostly witty romantic variations on common sayings or phrases. If you're going to be condescending at least know what you're talking about.

**Scoats** · 10-21-2012, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by supersupper

That image was not a proposal, just giving an idea of how it might work, with a little tongue-in-cheek humor.

I missed the humor. Their idea is a poor attempt to convince people on such an epic idea of toying with an icon.

Originally Posted by supersupper

Personally, I love young enthusiasm.

Me too, which was why I was opened minded about it.

I suspect Annie might be right. They managed to get a quite a bit of press out of this. Even making Inga's column. After seeing their idea, I think we got punked.

**supersupper** · 10-22-2012, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by supersupper

Good grief.

Y'all know know this is ...

oh nevermind.

I thought the whole thing as a joke at first, then people started taking it seriously and I thought- oh heck why not !

Annie, I didn't noticed that the "wish you were here" letters were straight from the Love Letters mural, which was an excellent project and an example of how a mural project can work if one well. Still, its an ubiquitous phrase and referenced as such when used even in that mural, but evokes a different kind of response (humorous) via the Streets Dept. at least thats how i saw it.