A public art installation beloved by Pennsylvanians is removed by Philadelphia authorities nearly three decades after it was installed. The work will now be “disposed of”.
The book, titled Your movewas created by Daniel Martinez, Renee Petropoulis and Roger White, and installed in Thomas Paine Square outside the city’s Municipal Services Building in 1996.
The sculpture features larger than life pieces of board games such as Chess, Sorry, Parcheesi and Monopoly in steel, concrete, polyurethane paint and fiberglass. It was commissioned by the Office of Arts and Culture in Philadelphia, according to the Association for Public Art.
Philadelphia officials said in a report that the work was permanently removed due to the upcoming renovations to the square as well as the poor condition of the artwork and the continued expense of maintaining it.
“We express our gratitude for the great impact that Your move has had on our community,” the statement read. “We understand and share the feelings of loss and sadness felt by those who have connected deeply with this cherished public art installation. Its removal will certainly create a void for many who appreciate its beauty and significance to Philadelphia and the downtown.
Your move (1996), alongside the statue of Jacques Lipchitz, government of the people (1976), outside the Municipal Services Building Plaza in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Paul Marotta/Getty Images.
The artwork originally included 45 game pieces meant to symbolize life’s journey “from child’s play to adult obligation”, according to city officials, but currently only 34 pieces remain at the site. .
The decision to remove the remaining pieces came after a review by city officials found the materials were not durable enough to withstand continued wear and tear from weather, graffiti and skateboarders.
The city gave the artists the chance to repossess the sculpture, but they refused. Game pieces will now be temporarily stored in a secure facility.
It wasn’t immediately clear how officials planned to “dispose” of the artwork, but the artists asked that the game pieces not be given away or sold, according to THE Philadelphia plaintiff. The work was removed the same day of the announcement.
“Given their location in Thomas Paine Plaza, a major location for protests in Philadelphia, the giant game pieces have often dripped with irony,” Stephanie Farr wrote in the Applicantas well as a photograph of members of the National Guard standing like toy soldiers next to a giant Sorry game piece.
“We are asking the city to keep this Your move brought back to Philadelphia in mind: childlike wonder and fantasy; irony and subversive criticism too. The next move is yours Philly, now let’s see what you do.
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