Public Art

Pulse

The first phase of Pulse has been activated. Pulse is a site-specific work of public art created for Dilworth Park by internationally renowned artist Janet Echelman, who reshapes urban airspace with a monumental, fluidly moving sculpture that responds to environmental forces including wind, water, and sunlight.

Inspired by Center Square’s history as Philadelphia’s water and transportation hub, Pulse traces in the surface of the fountain the paths of the subway and trolley lines that converge beneath Dilworth Park.

As SEPTA trains pass beneath, four-foot-tall curtains of colorful atomized mist travel across the park fountain’s surface following the transit lines that that bring more than 70,000 passengers to the site each day.

The first phase of Pulse opened on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. at the northern end of the fountain above the Subway-Surface Trolley Lines, also known as the green line. The launch of the first phase (green line) will help support fundraising to complete the remaining two sections of Pulse, which trace the Market-Frankford Line (blue line) and the Broad Street Line (orange line). Help make the next phases of Pulse a reality through a donation to the Center City District Foundation!

City Hall Sculptures

Alexander Milne Calder was commissioned to produce the more than 250 architectural sculptures in marble and bronze which adorn Philadelphia’s City Hall, including the 36 foot tall bronze statue of William Penn that crowns the building’s tower. 

For more information about Philadelphia’s City Hall visit the City Hall Tour Information Center in Room 121 or phila.gov. For architectural walking tours presented by the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, visit preservationalliance.com.