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Arts festivals, Ratha-Yatra, S(tree)twork, and Where the Young Bols Rumble
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, September 21-27, 2023
Kyle V. Hiller
This week, we’ll see the official start of fall, and new exhibits and returning festivals abound. A new exhibit on the history of color arrives at the Science History Institute, and Where the Young Bols Rumble constructs questions about the American Dream at the TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image. S(tree)twork gets to the root of things at Awbury Arboretum, and long-running festivals light up the streets in New Hope and at the Ben Franklin Parkway.
Stay cool, Philly!
Where the Young Bols Rumble
Through December 16, 2023
TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image, 1400 North American Street, Suite 103, Philadelphia
TILT presents Jay Simple’s exhibition Where the Young Bols Rumble, a questioning of the construction of the American Dream and who it was intended to benefit. By collaging visual artifacts onto sheets of weathered metal, protest signs, astronaut helmets, and grandfather clocks adorned with wings to resemble rocket ships, Simple’s artwork “functions as a provocation and dismantling of the institutional structures purposefully designed to subjugate Black people.” The exhibit is free to the public, with viewings Wednesday through Saturday.
BOLD: Color from Test Tube to Textile
Through August 2024
Opening reception on Friday, September 22, 5-8pm
Science History Institute, 315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Swing by for the opening celebration of the Science History Institute’s newest exhibit on Friday, September 22. The exhibit explores the history of colors and dyes, from organic dyes from the 19th century to the synthetics and other variations around today. The opening celebration features a curator’s talk, hands-on crafts, fashion, and more. It’s also encouraged to wear your “boldest” outfit for a chance to win prizes. The event is free and open to the public and all ages. Registration is suggested.
S(tree)twork
Ongoing
Opening reception on Friday, September 22, 10am-6pm
Awbury Arboretum Agricultural Village, 6336 Ardleigh Street, Philadelphia
S(tree)twork is a multi-year public art project that aims to “animate how we live among trees, how we perceive them, and how we imagine our future co-habitation.” Made up of a series of programs, workshops, and a built intervention at Awbury Arboretum, the curated work seeks to set new ways to work with residents to mitigate climate change and be part of reforestation efforts. The opening reception features drumming and drum making, block printing, and the opening of the Lightning House, a construction that incorporates a former stone carriage house dating back to 1783 that has been restored to serve as an ongoing community project space for woodworking, drum-making, and leaf printing workshops.
New Hope Arts & Crafts Festival
September 23 and 24, 10am-5pm
New Hope Solebury High School, 180 West Bridge Street, New Hope
The 29th annual New Hope Arts & Crafts Festival is back this weekend, showcasing over 160 artists, crafters, and creators exhibiting oil paintings, watercolors, pastels, sculptures, jewelry, ceramics, glass art, photography, and much more. Live music, food trucks, hands-on demonstrations, and more fill out the long-running festival. Admission is listed as $5.
Philly Ratha-Yatra
September 23, 12-7pm
Eakin’s Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
The Philly edition of the Hare Krishna Street Fair and Festival of India, Ratha-Yatra, celebrates 50 years this weekend. The parade starts at noon, opening the festival that will feature kirtan singers, a bazaar, yoga, seminars, children’s activities, and more throughout the afternoon and evening.
Above: Where The Young Bols Rumble is on display at TILT through December 16. (Image courtesy of Terrell Halsey, TILT.)
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