Artist Nate Harris has begun installing five new artworks at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, which has evolved from its days as a military base into an office and industrial area, including firms such as an active shipyard and the Urban Outfiltters headquarters.
Harris, who is a painter, graphic designer and sculptor working in wood, fabric and other materials, developed a concept for graphic projects that people will see as they walk around the key public spaces in the Navy Yard, including a gateway area, a new park, the historic administration building, and a waterfront walkway.
The four installations cost $15,000 altogether, a modest investment for a project that will bring unusual splashes of color to an area that is trying to expand its audience from daytime workers to become more of a regional community asset.
I helped organize the project for the Navy Yard through my work with Mural Arts Philadelphia. Ryan Strand Greenberg served as curator and project manager. Work will continue this summer with an installation on a 200-foot long fence.
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