What is the new exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art about?

The exhibition, 'Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments,' focuses on the Rocky statue and explores boxing history, celebrity, and the power of public monuments.

How popular is the Rocky statue?

The Rocky statue is a major tourist attraction, drawing an estimated 4 million visitors annually and rivaling the popularity of the Statue of Liberty.

What historical art is featured in the Rocky statue exhibition?

The exhibition includes ancient sculptures like the Seated Boxer, works from boxing's golden age featuring figures like Jack Johnson, and pieces by contemporary artists.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Philly's Rocky Statue: A Global Pilgrimage Site?

Philly's Rocky Statue: A Global Pilgrimage Site?

24 Apr

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Summary

Rocky statue at Philadelphia Museum of Art is a new exhibition's focus.
The statue draws as many visitors as the Statue of Liberty.
Exhibition explores boxing, celebrity, and the power of monuments.

Philly's Rocky Statue: A Global Pilgrimage Site?

A statue of fictional boxer Rocky Balboa, a beloved Philadelphia tourist attraction, now anchors a new exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Titled 'Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments,' the show delves into boxing history, celebrity, and the enduring power of public statues.

The bronze statue, placed on the museum's steps in 1982, attracts an estimated 4 million visitors each year. Curator Paul Farber notes its status as a 'cultural meeting ground' and a site of global pilgrimage for those seeking inspiration. The exhibition connects Rocky's story to millennia of shaped fighters as public figures.