Rebecca Rutstein to create a 63 x 124-foot mural, “Convergence”, on the AT&T building along the Schuylkill River.
Rebecca Rutstein to create a 63 x 124-foot mural, “Convergence”, on the AT&T building along the Schuylkill River.
Philadelphia, PA – June 27, 2019. The Bridgette Mayer Gallery is pleased to announce gallery artist Rebecca Rutstein’s upcoming creation of a 63 x 124-foot mural, “Convergence”, that will adorn the walls of the AT&T building along the banks of the Schuylkill River.
Rutstein is partnering with Mural Arts Philadelphia, the Bridgette Mayer Gallery, and AT&T, in creating this large-scale mural. The mural will be seen from the Schuylkill River Trail and Banks Boardwalk, the Schuylkill Expressway, and beyond into West Philadelphia. Mural Arts Philadelphia Executive Director Jane Golden stated “I am a wall hunter. I notice great walls in our city. The AT&T walls, rise above the river, above the new boardwalk, above our city. It was the perfect canvas for a work of art. So we are excited to say, in partnership with AT&T, Mural Arts is bringing this major work of public art by Rebecca Rutstein to Philadelphia. This building, through the magic of art, will be completely transformed from something unremarkable to an image of great beauty that captures the movement of the river, the lines of the boardwalk and the essence of the city.”
The mural will depict three sides of an angled facade which offers unique perspectives to viewers depending on their location. On the right wall, the blue, white, black and gray colors are inspired by the city’s river, sky, and neighboring glass architecture. The intersecting lines represent the river, roads, and trails of Philadelphia. The left wall’s vibrant colors symbolize the South Street Odunde Festival, an annual event which celebrates African heritage, where offerings of fruit, flowers, and honey are placed into the river. The interlocking forms have multiple meanings: aerial maps, tectonic processes, reflections of light on the water, and pathways of Philadelphia. “Convergence” honors the prominence of the Schuylkill River and its impact of transportation, pathways, and people of Philadelphia.
Bridgette Mayer, Director of the Bridgette Mayer Gallery, has represented Rutstein since 2001 and is excited for this project to launch. “The gallery is thrilled to announce Rebecca Rutstein’s first public mural creation in Philadelphia. Ms. Rutstein will begin creating her large wrap-around mural at the AT&T building on the Schuylkill River Trail this week. This project has been underway for the past two years and now the City of Philadelphia and its residents will get to have this talented artist’s vibrant creation to enjoy along the waterfront! We are proud of Rebecca’s hard work and accomplishments leading to the culmination of this important project.”
On undertaking this massive project, Rutstein is honored to have her first large scale mural to be prominently displayed along the river. “I'm thrilled to be contributing to the vibrant mural scene in Philadelphia, and to be creating something new in our city's landscape. I have called Philadelphia home for almost my entire life, and it is a real honor to have my first, large scale mural come to life so prominently along the banks of the Schuylkill River. I hope it will be enjoyed by the community for years to come, and I am thankful to the Mural Arts Program, AT&T and Bridgette Mayer Gallery for all of their support.”
“Convergence” was launched June 24th and will be complete with a ribbon-cutting in early October.
For more information or to view available works by Rebecca Rutstein, please view the gallery website: www.bridgettemayergallery.com