What demolition reveals

A friend recently passed along an abstract by Isabelle Lehuu called, Carnival on the Page, which explores Popular Print Media in Antebellum America (yes, my tastes do tend towards the esoteric). The author makes some wonderful points about printing, ephemera and ritual or the carnival - which reminded me of a little taste of history that was discovered behind the mantle of the fireplace at the Physick House (where I will have an exhibition in November).

A tiny snippet of newspaper from 1795 was discovered lodged behind the stone of the fireplace with an image of a horse jumping through hoops. I love that path of discovery which led me to the Library Company where I learned that the Rickets Circus of Philadelphia. The circus spent the winter in Philadelphia (October 19, 1795-April 23, 1796).

Rickets was actually the first circus in in America, established by John Bill Ricketts, and was a blend of equestrian feats and theatrical performances - thrilling audiences with his acts such as the Flying Mercury and the Egyptian Pyramids. Hell, even George Washington attended this circus (it is a small world).

Another fragment of a message passed through time by ghosts of the past...

And, by the way, Rickets also went by the fantastic names of Attitude of Mercury and Johnny Gilpin in Stile.

whose mom had the biggest house?

In the coming months my fellow conspirators will be helping me to unveil a series of happenings in Philadelphia to entertain, question and celebrate our community past and present. Inspired by the Junto and their weekly meetings which featured drinking and intellectual conversation for their "mutual improvement"

The Junto are elusive but through investigation I have found the following names as founding members, three of which were coworkers at Samuel Heimer's print shop in what is now known as Old City including Benjamin Franklin, Hugh Meridith, George Webb (apprentice to the printer), Stephen Potts (bookbinder), William Maugridge (shop joiner), Thomas Godfrey, William Coleman (a merchant, also said to be cool headed), Philip Syng and Robert Grace (said to be lively, witty and wealthy).

Reading about this group i'm reminded of some secret clubhouse of my youth - they met at Grace's grandmother's house (because she had extra rooms) which was "four doors down towards the river from Edgell House (near Pewter Platter Alley) on the portion fronting the alley.

Over time, the Junto put together a collection of books from their personal collections, gathered them together at a room at 120 Church Alley, next to the Bears Head Tavern. This collective material became the first project of a public nature for the group, as this collection of books became the Library Company of Philadelphia - the first public library by 1731.

Candlelight Performance

I recently sent out packages of screenprinted luminaria across the country to friends and family with the nonsensical idea that theoretically all the luminaria could be lit at the same time, and how that idea made me smile. I just recently put one of the packages (4 luminaria, card, inspired by the Powel House chandalier, and instructions) into a pollyanna gift exchange at holiday work party - the person that chose it said that he was so excited about them that he would send me pictures of the luminaria lit up - and I realized my mistake - that I should have asked everyone to collect images of them and send them to me! Alas, so, if you read this and you received them, take a photos and I'll put it up.

Luminaria

Information feedback loop

Is it possible to create a scenario where I can create an information feedback loop. My project is called Playing Telephone with ghosts...what would happen if i built an installation of a telephone booth in old city Philadelphia, merging old technologies with new...stand in a telephone booth, dial your cell phone with the number provided, the phone in the booth rings and the person picks up the receiver, is it them, is it an art piece, are they calling themselves? How much can i mess with this?

traces of pigeons mark the concrete

traces of pigeons mark the concrete
Originally uploaded by Caitlin Emma Perkins.

Pigeons were a menu item in the 18th century, long since removed from our modern dietary memory. I was reminded of a dish I found at the Library Company recently called "pigeons transmogrified". Myself and artist Katie Baldwin will attempt to revive this dish soon...although through art, not culinary devices.

Strange Reflections

Eerie Christening Gown with Ghostly Head
Originally uploaded by caitlinemmaperkins.

Eerie floating heads with street reflections in another historic neighborhood, though this one is in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island. Caught this snapshot of the storefront display walking by. Check out the other images on flickr.

The House that Wine Built

I'm finding that the history of Philadelphia and perhaps our nation would not be what it is had it not been for the love of social drinking. Franklin founded the Junto a secret society in Philadelphia whose members gathered weekly to drink and talk of revolution. They went on to found the first library, The Library Company, the first insurance company, the first police force, and much more.

The main exhibition of Playing Telephone with Ghosts will be at the Physick House in November of 2007, and here is a brief history of that building, from their archives:

"Philadelphia, since its founding has been a town that has liked to tipple. And a favorite spirit of drinkers in the 18th century proved to be Madeira, a fortified grape juice and brandy beverage. Importer Henry Hill made enough money as a Madeira merchant to build this elegant free-standing mansion in what was becoming one of the more fashionable neighborhoods of a post-Revolutionary city better known for rowhouses. Thirst for Madeira made Hill so wealthy that in addition to building this abode, he could also maintain a country estate called Carlton which overlooked the Schuylkill River, complete with a private racetrack. Though that manse is now covered by a reservoir, the Hill-Physick-Keith house endured — just barely though."