LOVE Sculpture
LOVE Sculpture
| Type | Public sculpture |
|---|---|
| Address | JFK Plaza (15th Street and JFK Boulevard) |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Center City |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1976 |
| Hours | Always accessible |
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.[1]
The Sculpture
[edit | edit source]Design
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]Original Installation
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]| 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
[edit | edit source]- 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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]- 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