Modern Toichographology (MURALS & STREET ART) with Conrad Benner
Murals! Frescos! Graffiti! Street art! Philadelphia is the birthplace of graffiti and the mural capital of the world so we sit down with city historian, journalist, curator, and Toichographologist Conrad Benner to chat about public vs. private art, cultural movements, commissioned vs. um… un-commissioned murals, how mural topics are chosen, how much it costs to make a mural, where to get that money, vandalism and murals and the fine line between, and how everything you do is art. Let Philly’s history and 5,000 murals inspire you to gaze at what’s in your city and find out who made it, how you can get involved, and why it matters. Also: this episode will have a bonus Field Trip we’ll release in a week or so that will take you to a series of murals in the process of being born.
Listen via Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Podbay, Podcast Addict, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Follow Conrad on Instagram, TikTok and X
Visit his guide to Philadelphia’s public art and public space at StreetsDept.com
Donations went to the William Way LGBT Community Center and SkypeAScientist.com
Purchase a Frog Facts Advent Calendar at SquidFacts.net
Links to things we discussed:
America’s largest public art program: Mural Arts Philadelphia
Art in Architecture Program | GSA
How Artists Can Win Big with Public Art Commissions - Art Journal
Graffiti's journey from Philadelphia to New York City
History of graffiti and street art: the 1960s and the 1970s
Mural Pricing 101 | How to Price a Mural Project | Pandr Design Co.
The Graffiti Art Movement in Philadelphia - Picturing Black History
Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network - Wikipedia
Blatt Tire in Philadelphia, PA
From Anti-Graffiti to Pro-Art: Murals as Engines for Good
An Assessment of Community Impact of the Philadelphia Department of Recreation Mural Arts Program
Graffiti Clown by AREN in Mexico City, Mexico | STREET ART UTOPIA
Murals sprout in LOVE Park urging Philadelphians to vote
From dissident to decorative: why street art sold out and gentrified our cities
AMAZING New Electric Light ‘Mural’ in South Philly! – Streets Dept
Common Threads — Meg Saligman Studio
Art Ignites Change: Painting Our Common Threads | Apple Podcasts
Eric Rieger yarn art a part of Asbury Park NJ Wooden Walls outdoor art
Eric Rieger aka HOTTEA - Wikipedia
Mural Arts Philadelphia | National Endowment for the Arts
Novel hydrogels can safely remove graffiti from vandalized street art | Ars Technica
Why Public Art Matters (2018) - Americans for the Arts
How Public Art Can Improve Quality of Life and Advance Equity | Housing Matters
Why Public Art Is Good for Cities
Morris Home - Resources for Human Development
We Are Universal - Mural Arts Philadelphia
Get Funded: Tips for a New Era of Placemaking Philanthropy
Lighter Quicker Cheaper — Project for Public Spaces
Rocky Statue Yarn Bomb, Philadelphia | ishknits
Dreams, Diaspora, and Destiny (2018)
Other episodes you may enjoy:
Political Sociology (VOTER TURNOUT & SUPPRESSION)
Domicology (ABANDONED BUILDINGS, RECYCLED HOUSES & GHOST TOWNS)
Very Special Episode: BlackAFinSTEM
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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jacob Chaffee
Managing Director: Susan Hale
Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth
Transcripts by Aveline Malek
Website by Kelly R. Dwyer
Theme song by Nick Thorburn