The Philadelphia Museum of Art will debut its new exhibition built around the Rocky statue with a public opening event on Friday, April 24.<\/p>\n
The event for \u201cRising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments\u201d runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m. throughout the museum\u2019s main building and is open to the public with pay-what-you-wish admission. The pricing model is in effect from April 10 through Sept. 4.<\/p>\n
The exhibition explores the changing role of monuments across time, tracing connections between ancient sculpture, contemporary art and Philadelphia\u2019s embrace of the Rocky statue as a symbol of the city. Timed to the 50th anniversary of the \u201cRocky\u201d film franchise, it includes more than 150 works of art spanning over 2,000 years.<\/p>\n
Opening night programming will include performances, interactive activities and a chance to meet the artist behind the iconic statue.<\/p>\n
A pop-up studio on the East Balcony will invite visitors to create their own mini \u201cRocky\u201d statue using craft materials from 5 to 8 p.m.<\/p>\n
In the Great Stair Hall, the Philly All Stars Marching Band and Project Positive will perform, with Project Positive scheduled for shows at 6 and 7 p.m. A DJ set by DJ xtina will run intermittently throughout the evening.<\/p>\n
Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet A. Thomas Schomberg, the sculptor of the Rocky statue, during a book signing from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. in the Dorrance Galleries retail store.<\/p>\n
Food and drinks will be available for purchase during the event.<\/p>\n