A few months back I had the opportunity to wander around Philadelphia with my camera after I dropped off my daughter for an art class. It was an overcast day but I wanted to stroll around center city and see if I could get any interesting shots of the architecture. It was only a couple of days ago that I went back over the images and recalled this excellent sculpture by Robert Taplin, The Young Punch Juggling, that sat atop a plinth above the entrance to the Philadelphia Academy of Arts. I was particularly taken by the piece because of its apparent simplicity of design, and the unusual items that Young Punch is keeping aloft. They are reminiscent of the pieces in the board game Monopoly, at least to my mind.
To me the piece represents how we have to juggle many things in order to make their way through the modern world, at least in the industrial west. I don’t know how Mr. Taplin chose his objects but they seem to work. I’d be interested to see what others think, so please give me your opinion.
Philosophical Photography, Percontation, Prose, Poetry, Parables, Pottery & Politics… Phew!
searching4theshot 
Given the way he stands, I wonder if there’s a reference to representations of Shiva?
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That is an interesting thought, Brian. The Destroyer…
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The Juggler is another name for the tarot’s #1 card The Magician. The hat is like a magician’s. Is the Academy of Arts on Broad Street? I lived in Philly f o r decades and don’t remember seeing that. Will have to check it out next time I visit.
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Thank you, Clarissa! Yes, it’s on Broad Street quite near City Hall. The Sculpture Plinth Exhibition Program plans to be change the installation periodically. I don’t know how often this is scheduled but it looks like every few years. (see: https://www.pafa.org/furness-and-hewitt-historic-landmark-building/sculpture-plinth-exhibition-program)
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Oh, thanks so much for the link (sad about Ceres, though)!
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