Big Ben at Franklin Town - Philadelphia, PA
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Math Teacher
N 39° 57.507 W 075° 10.025
18S E 485729 N 4423158
This abstract, stainless steel silhouetted bust of Benjamin Franklin has porticos resembling keys and supporting blue arches mounting crests resembling kites. Four additional columns support abstract lightning bolts.
Waymark Code: WMHTB5
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 08/12/2013
Published By:Groundspeak Charter Member BruceS
Views: 8
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This is a really fun and whimsical sculpture of Benjamin Franklin. The sculpture is at a difficult spot, overlooking I-676 so parking is difficult. The sculpture is at an overpass so parking is difficult but I managed to find parking on Vine Street about 200 feet away. Philadelphia is crazy-serious about Franklin; he is our home town boy so a sculpture here is completely appropriate. I have been passing underneath of it for years and resolved to find a way to visit it and eventually waymark.

The sculpture is an abstract silhouetted bust of Benjamin Franklin with glasses, supported by blue columns. To his proper left and proper right are porticos consisting of yellow columns resembling keys, supporting blue arches mounting crests resembling kites. Four additional columns support abstract lightning bolts. In front are eight seat-sized posts each have a letter inscribed on top, spelling out FRANKLIN. The sculpture is of painted stainless steel with concrete elements. The sculptors were Alexander Generalis and Thomas Miles. A fine art foundry called Polich Tallix fabricated the sculpture. The Sears Iron Works company out of Ottsville, PA, also had a hand in the fabrication of this piece. The Singer Blande Associates, architectural firm was also employed to produce this endeavor. The sculpture was installed on June 1, 1992 and dedicated on June 12, 1992. The base is of red concrete and metal. The sculpture is approximately 30 feet x 180 inches² and the base is approximately 98 feet in width and 12 feet in diameter. This thing ways about 15,000 pounds!

The artwork was commissioned by the Franklintown Corporation, a local neighborhood organization. Because the sculpture stands on an overpass of an interstate highway, the Franklintown Corporation had to work with the Federal Highway Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Philadelphia Department of Streets to have the sculpture placed at its location.

Sources
1. SIRIS
2. Philadelphia Public Art
3. Landmark: United States

TITLE: Big Ben at Franklin Town

ARTIST(S): Miles, Thomas, 1948- , sculptor. Generalis, Alexander, 1950- , sculptor. Tallix, fabricator. Sears Iron Works, fabricator. Singer Blanda Associates, architectural firm

DATE: 1992. Installed June 1, 1992. Dedicated June 12, 1992

MEDIUM: Sculpture: stainless steel sheet, painted, and concrete; Base: red concrete and metal

CONTROL NUMBER: IAS PA000422

Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link]

PHYSICAL LOCATION:
Interstate 676 Overpass 17th Street & Vine Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH:
No Differences Noted
Visit Instructions:
Please give the date of your visit, your impressions of the sculpture, and at least ONE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH. Add any additional information you may have, particularly any personal observations about the condition of the sculpture.
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