by Amanda Izes, Melanie Kleid, Elyse O'Bannon, and Ryan Sheehan
Watch their exciting video essay below.
Watch their exciting video essay below.
A Culture of Creation and Exchange.
In center city Philadelphia, down 11th and Arch Street and to the right of a small doorway, a string hangs connected to a rusted bell and a sign that reads “Please close le door.” At the top of a steep flight of stairs, the scent of just-painted walls lingers in the air. The sound of footsteps crossing creaky wooden floors echoes through the narrow hall. Within these vibrantly abstract walls, the inhabitants of Space 1026 quietly wind down for the night.
Space 1026 is an artistic community defined by its creative and linguistic richness, opportunity for collaboration, and connectedness. During our November 29th visit we had the opportunity to speak to both old and new members of Space 1026, or “Space,” for short. Through interviews, these community members described what Philadelphia and its art culture means to them as creators. Our short documentary provides a look into the real and imagined communities of Philadelphia’s art scene as detailed by local creators.
Watch the Video.
More than a Gallery or Studio.
Artists Justin Cipa and Troy Taylor helped us understand that Space 1026 is much more than just a second-floor gallery/studio complex, an art supply storage space, or a 9-to-5-internship opportunity. Rather, Space is a fluid collective of artists and audiences, a community of sharing, inspiring, and listening. As illustrated by the drawings, stickers, and hand-written phrases that decorate its walls, Space is a constantly evolving art project representing each and every voice of its participants.
It is a physical place, but it is also an imagined community and social network of connectedness among people of all identities from all parts of the city. It is not only an enclosed studio but also a starting point for ideas and projects to expand into new places. What happens at Space doesn’t stay at Space.
Space 1026 members suggest that social media, particularly Instagram (@Space1026), is among the most impactful and useful tools in their growth as artists and their exposure to the creative world around them. The ease of tagging a creator in a post, sending a message, searching a username, and scrolling through hundreds of images and clips of others’ artwork makes social media outlets--even the Google images page--incredibly beneficial to developing artists looking for inspiration, constructive criticism, or simply a place to visibly document their progress.
Physically and virtually, Space 1026 provides a platform for community-building and a safe place for self-expression. Space is also constantly opening new doors for its members and audiences to explore Philadelphia’s creative culture.
Thank you for watching!
Space 1026 members suggest that social media, particularly Instagram (@Space1026), is among the most impactful and useful tools in their growth as artists and their exposure to the creative world around them. The ease of tagging a creator in a post, sending a message, searching a username, and scrolling through hundreds of images and clips of others’ artwork makes social media outlets--even the Google images page--incredibly beneficial to developing artists looking for inspiration, constructive criticism, or simply a place to visibly document their progress.
Physically and virtually, Space 1026 provides a platform for community-building and a safe place for self-expression. Space is also constantly opening new doors for its members and audiences to explore Philadelphia’s creative culture.
Thank you for watching!
About the Authors.
- Amanda Izes is a sophomore from Ambler, Pennsylvania. She plans to study Linguistics and Peace and Conflict Studies at Swarthmore College.
- Melanie Kleid is a sophomore from Litchfield, Connecticut. She plans to major in Sociolinguistics at Swarthmore College.
- Elyse O’Bannon is a freshman from Dallas, Texas. She is a prospective Political Science major at Swarthmore College and enjoys producing films in her spare time.
- Ryan Sheehan is a senior at Strath Haven High School. Ryan hails from Wallingford, Pennsylvania, enjoys computer science, and is thinking about pursuing it in college.
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