Philadelphia has thousands of public artworks—more than any other city in America. Ed Hille has 40 years of experience as an award-winning photographer.
In Plain Sight
brings the two together—the dedicated artist and a spectacular subject.
Throughout the city—in business districts, industrial zones, residential neighborhoods—eye-catching sculptures and murals form a backdrop to Philadelphians' everyday pursuits. In the words of the Association for Public Art, the city offers "art for everyone, anytime," and people experience it in a multitude of ways. To reflect this integration of art and life, Ed Hille's photographs capture the artworks not as isolated pieces, but in the midst of human interaction. "Life," he writes, "simply moves around them."
For 18 months, Hille journeyed around the city, day and night, shooting and reshooting to gather his striking images. In these pages he presents the collection simply, with small captions, allowing the photographs to speak for themselves. Then, at the back of the book, he offers a description of each artwork and details about the photography.
Those who know Philadelphia will appreciate seeing favorite landmarks in a new light. For those unfamiliar with the city, the book offers a glimpse of a place where "the extraordinary has become an ordinary part of life."