Editing LOVE Sculpture

{{Infobox LocalBusiness
| name = LOVE Sculpture
| type = Public sculpture
| address = JFK Plaza (15th Street and JFK Boulevard)
| neighborhood = Center City
| website = https://www.associationforpublicart.org
| established = 1976
| hours = Always accessible
| public_transit = 15th Street Station (MFL/BSL)
}}

The '''LOVE sculpture''' is an iconic pop art sculpture by Robert Indiana located in JFK Plaza (also called LOVE Park) in [[Center City]], Philadelphia. The red, blue, and green sculpture has become one of the city's most recognizable landmarks and a popular photo destination.<ref name="love">{{cite web |url=https://www.associationforpublicart.org/artwork/love/ |title=LOVE |publisher=Association for Public Art |access-date=December 23, 2025}}</ref>

== The Sculpture ==

=== Design ===

Robert Indiana's LOVE design features:

* Four letters stacked in a square (LO over VE)
* The "O" tilted at an angle
* Cor-Ten steel construction
* Red letters with blue and green interior
* 12 feet high, 12 feet wide

=== The Artist ===

Robert Indiana (1928-2018) created the LOVE image in 1964:

* Originally designed for a Christmas card
* First sculpture version: 1970
* Philadelphia version installed: 1976 (for Bicentennial)
* Became his signature work
* LOVE images now worldwide

== History ==

=== Original Installation ===

The sculpture arrived in Philadelphia for the 1976 Bicentennial:

* Intended as a temporary loan
* City purchased it in 1978 ($35,000)
* JFK Plaza renamed "LOVE Park" colloquially
* Became inseparable from city identity

=== The Park ===

JFK Plaza / LOVE Park underwent major changes:

* Original park designed by Edmund Bacon (1965)
* Famous for skateboarding community
* Park redesigned 2014-2018
* Sculpture temporarily relocated during construction
* Returned to redesigned park

=== Skateboarding History ===

LOVE Park was internationally famous for skateboarding:

* Granite ledges and open plazas attracted skaters
* Featured in skate videos worldwide
* City banned skating (2002)
* Skating subculture part of park's legacy
* New design is less skate-friendly

== Visiting ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Detail !! Information
|-
| '''Location''' || JFK Plaza, 15th St & JFK Blvd
|-
| '''Access''' || Always open, free
|-
| '''Photo op''' || Popular spot; may need to wait
|-
| '''Time needed''' || 10-15 minutes
|}

=== Tips ===

* Morning light is best for photos
* Weekday mornings less crowded
* Combine with nearby City Hall tour
* Part of the Parkway museum district

== Other LOVE Sculptures ==

Robert Indiana created many LOVE sculptures worldwide:

* New York City (Sixth Avenue)
* Tokyo, Japan
* Taipei, Taiwan
* Many other cities
* Philadelphia's was among the earliest

== Getting There ==

* '''SEPTA Subway''' — 15th Street Station (Market-Frankford or Broad Street Lines)
* '''Walking''' — Adjacent to City Hall
* '''Location''' — 15th Street between JFK Blvd and Arch Street
* '''Parking''' — Nearby garages

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

{{FAQ
|q1=Where is the LOVE Sculpture in Philadelphia?
|a1=The LOVE sculpture is in JFK Plaza (commonly called LOVE Park) at 15th Street and JFK Boulevard in Center City, directly across from City Hall. It's always accessible and free to visit.

|q2=Who created the LOVE sculpture?
|a2=Robert Indiana (1928-2018) designed the LOVE image in 1964 and created sculptural versions starting in 1970. Philadelphia's sculpture was installed for the 1976 Bicentennial and purchased by the city in 1978.

|q3=Why is the O tilted in LOVE?
|a3=Robert Indiana tilted the "O" as a deliberate design choice to create visual tension and make the stacked letters more dynamic. The tilt has become the design's most distinctive feature.

|q4=Can you still skateboard at LOVE Park?
|a4=Skateboarding is officially prohibited in the redesigned LOVE Park. The park was once world-famous for skateboarding, but a ban was enacted in 2002, and the 2014-2018 redesign made the space less conducive to skating.
}}

== See Also ==

* [[City Hall]]
* [[Benjamin Franklin Parkway]]
* [[Center City]]
* [[Public Art in Philadelphia]]

== References ==
<references />

== External Links ==

* [https://www.associationforpublicart.org/artwork/love/ Association for Public Art - LOVE]

{{#seo:
|title=LOVE Sculpture - Philadelphia's Iconic Pop Art Landmark
|description=The LOVE sculpture by Robert Indiana in JFK Plaza (LOVE Park) is one of Philadelphia's most photographed landmarks. Free to visit in Center City near City Hall.
|keywords=LOVE sculpture, LOVE Park, Robert Indiana, Philadelphia landmarks, JFK Plaza, pop art, Center City Philadelphia
|type=Article
}}

[[Category:Landmarks]]
[[Category:Public Art]]
[[Category:Center City]]