Elizabeth Ames: Tabernacle

black lives matter banner hanging on a philadelphia church

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Posted on April , 13, 2015 by Elizabeth Ames

Tabernacle United Church of Christ is located in a beautiful building on the corner of 37th and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia.   The building is incredibly old; construction on it was completed in 1884.  The structure is everything one would expect from a 19th century church: weathered, grey stone; spires spiking the sky; tall gothic towers; stained glass windows; ornate gates; and countless arches.  It simultaneously commands attention from passerby while somehow fitting into the modern, urban setting that encompasses it.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

church outdoor arches

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

elaborate iron gate at 19th century church Philadelphia

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

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cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

At a glance, the church looks like a castle that belongs in a far away place.  But the small details show how the city has changed it.  Flags and banners touting against racism and prejudice hang from the front of the building.  There are security cameras over every door, and electric lights are drilled into the outside walls.  Dingy trash cans hide in the shadows.  A harsh black fence blocks the back of the building from the alleyway.  The inside is dark and dusty, but through the ornate windows, skyscrapers can be seen.  The church has slowly morphed into a representation of  life in today’s world.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

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cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

The juxtaposition of old and new is what makes the building so intriguing.  It truly tells the story of the building from when it was first built in up-and-coming Philadelphia to present day.  Looking at the security cameras and lights,  you can see the compromise between the need for security and the desire to maintain the beauty of the structure.  The facade has become a stunning platform for justice in the modern activist world.  Today, the building shows that it is not simply a house for a church, but an adoptive landmark that will be a part of University City for many years to come.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

old church with fence in front of it

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Photography and Text by Elizabeth Ames, Copyright 2015

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About the Author: Elizabeth Ames is a senior enrolled in the College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2015.

Kelsey Gliva: Liberty

Independence Hall, Philadelphia

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Posted on April 4th 2015, by Kelsey Gliva

It’s 9:00 AM on a Monday morning, and Philadelphia’s Independence Hall is almost entirely vacant – a treasured rarity.  The sprawling green space sandwiched between the Liberty Bell and the Constitution Center is usually packed with students on field trips and large tour groups, but today this national gem is shrouded in a peaceful quiet.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Historic places philadelphia

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

In this state of calm, it’s easy to take note of the precious details that characterize the neighborhood.  Hanging lanterns, wrought-iron doorknockers, white picket fences, and cobblestone walkways paint a picture of historical importance.  It’s easy to lose yourself in time weaving through side streets and reflecting on the symbolic nature of the area.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Society Hill Philadelphia

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Today we view Society Hill as a charming reminder of our revolutionary roots – a quaint residential area, a tourist hot spot, a historical stretch protected by park rangers and security guards. Although the physical aspects of the neighborhood stand frozen in time, Philadelphia’s inhabitants have more in common with their old city predecessors than modern-day amenities would suggest.  Yes, horses pulling carriages of tourists now wait in front of traffic lights and admission into Independence Hall is allowed only with proof of purchase, but life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are as central to our lives as they were to the Founding Fathers nearly 240 years ago.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Independence Mall Philadelphia

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

We’re still fighting for the truths that our revolutionary heroes found self-evident: that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights.  We’re still fighting for racial equality on our streets, gender equality in the workplace, and sexual equality at the altar. We’re still fighting for our neighbors abroad, many of which don’t enjoy the same freedoms that we often take for granted.  We’re still fighting.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

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cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Old City and Society Hill stands as more than  picturesque landmarks in the oldest neighborhoods in Philadelphia: it’s a reminder of our lasting connection to our nation’s purpose.  It’s where we started, and where we still hope to go.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Photography and Text by Kelsey Gliva, Copyright 2015

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About the Author: Kelsey Gliva is a senior enrolled in the Wharton School of Business, Class of 2015.

Jungmin Ryoo: The Journey

photo of city of Philadelphia from Art Museum looking east

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Posted on March 11, 2015 by Jungmin Ryoo

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My dearest Sixsmith,

I dreamt of you last night. I could not get in the mood to do anything all day long. So I went for a drive to the city. The city where we were together. 

The sun imbues the skies as man imbues the roads. Wish we could see this rapture together again. Back then we were so alive.

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photo of philadelphia skyline at dusk

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Our hearts were driven by extremes. In the heat of the summer, we were blind with dreams and tight with fears. Every passing minute permeated our lives like the sound of music and perfected it. Back then we were so young.

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silhouette of man on train with Philadelphia skyline in background

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All then suddenly became unclear. My life was filled with an endless dull of ordinariness and I became scared of uncertainty. I have died every night being lost in old memories. 

But I know that it is stupid to hold on to the pieces of the past while waiting for the future. When I look back at the journey we rode, I soon realize that all is going to be well.  All will be so perfectly well.

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silhouette of man on train with Philadelphia skyline in background

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Philadelphia skyline

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silhouette of man on train with Philadelphia skyline in background

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Now I lay the past to rest and live today. I miss you. Can’t wait to meet you again.

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Photography and Text by Jungmin Ryoo, Copyright 2015

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About the Author: Jungmin Ryoo graduated with a degree in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 2014, and  is currently a research assistant at XLab: Experience Design and Technology Lab,  University of California, Berkely.

Karuna Krishna: Julius Scissor Hair Salon

Portrait of Julius Scissor hair stylist philadelphia

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Posted on March 10, 2015 by Karuna Krishna

On Locust Street in Philadelphia, you see passersby stare curiously at a window with arresting sculptures and a sign, Julius Scissor Hair Salon. Past these Dali meets Duchamp assemblages, Julius is on display, shaping hair.

Julius is a master hair artist. His station is a theater, with spotlights on the chair, where he performs. “Everyone is beautiful,” he says, “I want to bring it out.” An old Philadelphia tradition, he opened the salon in 1980. Not unlike the barbershops of old, it is a place to meet an eclectic, urban cast of Center City residents.

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Julius Scissor at his salon on Locust street Philadelphia

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“Everything changes when you hear that your daughter has cancer,” says Julius, talking about his life. His daughter battled ovarian cancer for eight years, and lost. Her photo looks back at him from the mirror. His wife, Marsha, ran the salon but is at home now, with cancer. Julius handles the Salon and still manages to care for Marsha at home. “The only way to live life,” he says, “is to live it.” He reflects, “I choose to be happy. I live life each day.”

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Portrait of Julius Scissor at his salon on Locust street in Philadelphia by Karuna Krishna copyright 2015

A self-taught artist, Julius’s art and sculpture frequently incorporate hair and scissors — literally. “Scissors on faces is an obsession,” he confesses. “The Scissor Man can withstand anything,” he says, striking a warrior pose with the mask he painted yesterday. Best known for his 1980’s Ronald Regan sculpture, the same whimsical, quirky humor animates the dizzying amount of art displayed in the salon.

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Portrait of Julius Scissor at his salon on Locust street in Philadelphia by Karuna Krishna copyright 2015

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Julius transmutes tragedy to laughter and his work to art. Much of his art is ephemeral. During the shoot, he cuts my hair and as I look at myself, I see the way I feel.

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Portrait of Julius Scissor at his salon on Locust street in Philadelphia by Karuna Krishna copyright 2015

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Photography and Text by Karuna Krishna, Copyright 2015

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About the Author: Karuna Krishna is the director of Creative Services, Marketing Communications at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.