Philadelphia, PA - You'll want to visit Philadelphia's LOVE sculpture if you love art. This iconic sculpture has become a Philadelphia icon, drawing a steady stream of visitors annually. The statue is part of the City's Around City Hall tour, and you'll find several in the park. Find out which one is your favorite by reading this article. Here are some fun facts about the LOVE sculpture:
Philadelphia's LOVE Sculpture
The LOVE sculpture, otherwise known as "the statue," is a work of art at the corner of 15th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard. It has become a part of the stories of tourists and residents alike, and you can join the story by visiting the sculpture. Learn about the sculptor's vision, the story of Philadelphia's beloved original 76ers, and the City's history.
Philadelphia's LOVE sculpture was originally created by artist Robert Indiana as a painting in 1964 and lent to the City during its bicentennial celebrations in 1976. The statue spent two years in the John F. Kennedy Plaza before moving to New York. Thankfully, a local businessman decided to buy the sculpture and donate it to the City. Since then, it has been in Philadelphia ever since. It's even appeared on jewelry and postage stamps, and visitors can buy a replica.
Robert Indiana credited the Christian Science Church as the inspiration for the sculpture. His LOVE sculpture was so iconic that it prompted the plaza to be called "LOVE Park." However, the artist had a love-hate relationship with his sculpture.
Artist Robert Indiana's Love Sculpture in Philadelphia
The popularity of artist Robert Indiana's Love Sculpture was so great that its creator had trouble grappling with its popularity. The sculpture's popularity far exceeded its creator's expectations, and his other works became sidelined as his new project gained global attention. However, the artist didn't give up and even modified the LOVE graphic for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. The artist replaced the four-letter word "LOVE" with the word "HOPE," which was a hit with the public.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art has decided to permanently install a version of the "LOVE" sculpture in Spanish and Latin in the City of Brotherly Love "AMOR." The bilingual version of "AMOR" is located near the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.
