An exhibition showcasing student designs and inviting new visions for Philadelphia’s former railroad.
What is this ?
above | below | beyond is an exhibition of landscape architecture and architecture student designs, inspired by Philadelphia's three mile unused railroad corridor.
Who are we?
We're Diana Fernandez (Temple '12), Amy Syverson (Temple '12) and Susan Kolber (UPenn '12), and we learned about Philadelphia’s three mile long dormant railroad through our senior design studios. We loved thinking of what the railroad could become: a sculpture park? a bike path? a concert & arts venue? an ice-skating rink? a nursery? memorial grounds? or, maybe, all of the above?
What are we up to?
We want to show our studios' work, sharing our in-depth analysis of the railroad’s location, history, and ecology with Philadelphians (and internet users, who have similar urban conditions in their towns) We want to highlight the creativity the space provoked, and encourage people to consider and invent their own possibilities for the railroad and other disused urban infrastructures.
So we're putting together an exhibition, opening this October 12th 2012!
Why is this unused railroad so great?
1. It's BIG: it's three miles long, and runs from Boat House Row, under Pennsylvania Avenue (near where all the great museums are), through Callowhill and into Chinatown. Think of walking all the way from the Schuylkill River Park to 9th street - without ever crossing the street!
2. It's OLD: It's been around since the 1890s! And it's on Monopoly boards - it was part of the Reading Railroad.
3. It's UNIQUE: It offers unique urban conditions: it is underground AND elevated. Imagine: a cool place to hang in the summers and a warm spot for chilly winters.
4. It's a JUNGLE: Hundreds of different plants took over while no one was watching. It's an ecological haven and it's really fun to explore. Let us take you on a tour! [watch the video, above, for the full experience]
5. It's HERE: and no one is using it. Isn't that a shame?
Why support this exhibition?
This railroad has an incredible history and potential for an amazing future. Several organizations have been working on plans to redevelop the site, and students from many Philadelphia universities have been re-inventing the three mile corridor for nearly a decade - yet few people know about it! We want to introduce the site to a broader audience, through the lens of student work.
There is so much research and so many ideas about what this Philadelphia railroad could be. We want to share the process, the information, the ideas and most importantly: get people excited about this amazing unused urban space!
Where and when will the exhibition be held?
above | below | beyond will run from October 12th through November 30th, 2012.
Opening Night: Friday, October 12th 2012 from 6 to 10 p.m, at Next American City (2816 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA).
Next American City is a wonderful non-profit organization dedicated to connecting cities and the people who work to improve them. Their team kindly shared their office and gallery space for the exhibition.
Why $5,850 for an exhibition?
All the funds will go towards the exhibitions expenses:
- Printing large maps, renders, graphics, and photographs
- A sculptural model of the Viaduct for the gallery window
- Lighting for the exhibition space
- Posters and postcards
- Creating base-maps to invite new ideas
- A gallery catalog / site design guidebook
It all adds up!
Please, help us go above, below & beyond to make this exhibition, and, one day, Philadelphia's unused railroad, a reality!
Many Thanks To:
- Kickstarter Movie Co-Director- Warren Jones
- Kickstarter Video Song "Snow", by Datagrams
- Kira Simon-Kennedy
- wellsappel
- VIADUCTgreene
- Next American City
- UPenn Vitale Digital Media Lab
- Julie Beckman, Ariel Genadt, Richard Wesley
- Stuart Appel, Lolly Tai
- Temple University Landscape Architecture Class of 2012
- University of Pennsylvania Architecture Class of 2012
PS: We have a website, and we're on Facebook, Twitter ( @abovebelowrail) & Pinterest - join us, we'd love to hear from you!
Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
We have such big ideas for the development of this railroad and a lexicon of information to disperse, but our reach is limited by our resources. We need all the help we can get!
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Backers
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Funding period
Sep 26, 2012 -
Oct 17, 2012
(21 days)
- First created · 4 backed
- Susan Kolber 670 friends
- Website: facebook.com
Pledge $1 or more
2 backers
A special thanks ! Your name & a link of your choice on our website.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $5 or more
3 backers
A beautiful email invitation to the opening reception on October 12th in Philadelphia! And a special thanks, of course.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $10 or more
16 backers
A digital download package with exhibition material, images and videos of the railroad, plus a beautiful email invite to the opening & a special thanks.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $25 or more
32 backers Limited (168 of 200 left)
A 4x6 print of a photograph of the railroad, mailed right to you & all the above!
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $50 or more
10 backers Limited (90 of 100 left)
A 30 minute guided group street side tour of the railroad and a photograph of you at the site! As always, you also get an email invite & a special thanks.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $75 or more
6 backers Limited (94 of 100 left)
A signed & printed exhibition catalog, shipped to your lovely home or office. You're also, clearly, invited to the opening and will get a special thanks!
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $100 or more
12 backers Limited (38 of 50 left)
A large format map of the railroad & a signed, printed exhibition catalog. It goes without saying that you're also invited to the opening and deserve a special thanks!
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $250 or more
3 backers Limited (17 of 20 left)
A private guided tour of the railroad + your very own signed catalog + a unique photograph of your visit to the site. And come to the opening and see your name on the website!
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $500 or more
2 backers Limited (3 of 5 left)
A picnic and a private guided tour of the railroad + a copy of Temple University's 400 page landscape architecture senior design studio book + a unique framed photo of the site + be our guest of honor at the opening + a very special thanks!
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013
