“A People’s Philly“ at DesignPhiladelphia

Developed through conversations, workshops, and design sessions, A People’s Philly is a public exhibition at this year’s DesignPhiladelphia festival.

Inspired by the legacy of the 1976 Bicentennial protests and the visionary work of grassroots Philadelphia organizations, A People’s Philly foregrounds how community-led movements for spatial justice, liberatory activism, and shared stewardship shape the city’s present and future.

The ideas and experiences of youth, residents, activists, and grassroots organizers in North Philadelphia, Kensington, West Philadelphia, Grays Ferry, and elsewhere across the city shape the exhibition’s videos, imagery, and speculative visions. Visitors are invited to join this ongoing process through mapping, collaging, writing, and design activities that add their own ideas to the exhibition’s evolving collective vision.

Organized by faculty, alumni, and graduate students at Weitzman, the project was developed in collaboration with Philly Peace Park, Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia, DesignPhiladelphia, and the Human XR Lab at Universidad del Atlántico Medio.

On view at the Village of Industry and Art from October 1–11, A People’s Philly approaches design as a collective practice for imagining and shaping the city’s future. There is an opening celebration from 6:00 - 9:00pm on Thursday, October 1, and a public workshop and reception on Thursday, October 8; RSVP is required.