Art In Transit: The Route 15 Trolley
March 16, 2018
To all you Trolley riders who make the Route 15 part of your regular commute… that vehicle is a beautiful piece of machinery, isn’t it? The Route 15 has its own unique, extraordinary [and retro] style, and happens to be the only surface trolley line in the City Transit Division not part of the Subway–Surface Trolley Lines. The distinctive look of this particular trolley is almost artistic, in our opinion.
But did you know that the Route 15 Trolley Line is part of SEPTA’s Art in Transit program?
You do now.
Next time you ride, take particular notice of the Zoo Stop. This colorful installation is a piece of art created in collaboration by Suzanne Reese Horovitz and Robert Roesch in 2002. Peacock Shelters is inspired by the spectacular beauty of the peacocks at the Philadelphia Zoo and the artists' delight in their freedom to roam the gardens and interact with visitors.
The significance of peacock feathers crosses many cultures, representing nobility, wisdom, kindness, and the ability to thrive in the face of suffering. Horovitz and Roesch expressed the feathers' iridescent beauty through the use of the gold leaf, stainless steel, painted steel, and bronze.
Art is subjective, and its meanings are different to for each person. What does Peacock Shelters mean to you?
