Psychylustro
Katharina Grosse
In Psychylustro, artist Katharina Grosse creates seven bright, striking, scenes of color along the Northeast Rail Corridor between 30th Street Station and North Philadelphia Station, in order to draw attention to less iconic areas of Philadelphia in hopes of rousing change. Grosse attentively chose the colors, and placed them each on top of white paint so that they stick out of whatever surface they are on, creating an artificial relationship. (Behind the Making of Psychylustro) People who would normally be occupied with the newspaper or work cannot help but take a glimpse out the window. The paintings are large and simple to catch people’s attentions even when they are on a moving train and cannot stop and stare. Startling pink paint is smeared on a broken fence, trees, and grass; a striking orange spreads across the face of a tall building; and an electric green covers another section of earth. (Evolving Art Show) These scenes are intermingled with views from the train of forests taken over by weeds, graffiti on tattered buildings, and piles of junk. This untouched space between the bright scenes of color also demand passers-by recognition due to the stark contrast. Randy Mason, a Professor of Historic Preservation at the University of Pennsylvania, states “the parts of the city like that, that draw conflict, are not only more interesting but also more important to work out [their] potential -- to improve people’s well being, quality of life and preservation in the city.” (Behind the Making of Psychylustro) Drawing notice to the area leads to people investing care and interest. Psychylustro is a step in the direction of progress.
Psychylustro creates a visual paradox that forces people to acknowledge the juxtaposition of remarkably bright artwork on dull, decaying buildings and landscapes. Vie Ricketts-Dhomas, a gardener in the Green Acres community where one of the Psychylustro scenes is, states that “you can’t miss it coming down the street. . . It’s drawing attention to a lot of people, people with potentials, or people who have ideas about what they could do with it. Or local people who say ‘wow something is going to happen.’” (Behind the Making of Psychylustro) This artwork makes residents of these areas realize that there is hope for their future, and to make people who do not live in these forgotten areas of Philadelphia notice them and think about how they were once lively, and with help, can be so again. Additionally, Psychylustro gives those who live in devastated areas hope for the future. This artwork is a sign that other people care about their neighborhoods, acknowledge their existence, and help may soon come to turn things around. Jane Golden, executive director of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program states “[w]hen you go by and see this landscape, it’s ghostly, here’s an opportunity to do something about this major artery, a major artery that has been neglected, an artery that also represents Philadelphia’s past. How does this shine a light on our past and make us think about the future.” (Evolving Art Show) The “ghostly” landscape that Golden refers to is unnatural and somewhat frightening as it sheds light on the history of Philadelphia. Will the areas that now seem prosperous and thriving one day be overlooked and fall into disrepair and neglect? These devastated, overlooked areas each have a story behind them, which come with their own memories and hold information about Philadelphia’s past. These areas can also be an important part of Philadelphia’s future if they receive the attention and repair they need.
Sources
Lindsay Lazarski. “Behind the Making of "Psychylustro," Vimeo Video. August, 2014. https://vimeo.com/100830031.
"In Philly, an Evolving Art Show Attracts Attention of Rail Riders with Splashes of Color." Knight Foundation. Accessed March 31, 2015.
Weinik, Steve. Psychylustro. Digital image. Psychylustro. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2015.
Lindsay Lazarski. “Behind the Making of "Psychylustro," Vimeo Video. August, 2014. https://vimeo.com/100830031.
"In Philly, an Evolving Art Show Attracts Attention of Rail Riders with Splashes of Color." Knight Foundation. Accessed March 31, 2015.
Weinik, Steve. Psychylustro. Digital image. Psychylustro. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2015.