Rocky 1980
If there is any statue in Philadelphia that represents the city itself, it is the “Rocky” statue. It is the one statue that almost every tourist who comes to Philadelphia has to see. The “Rocky” statue is based off of a character Rocky Balboa from the movie Rocky III.
The statue is based off a scene in Rocky III after a long run Rocky Balboa runs up the art museum steps, and when he gets to the top, he puts his arms up and jumps as if to say that he has finished the run. This is symbolic of Philadelphia, a city where an underdog can become a champion through hard work, determination, and hustle. became an iconic scene and moment within Philadelphia.
Sylvester Stallone commissioned A. Thomas Schomberg, for the “Rocky” statue. Schomberg is known for sculptures of athletes; Stallone then gave the statue as a gift to Philly. There are three “Rocky” Statues within Philadelphia. Stallone purchased a second casting of the statue at auction in 2017 for $400,000. This statue has been on loan to the city.
A. Thomas Schomberg 1943- today
A Thomas Schomberg grew up in America’s mid-west during the late 1940’s and 50’s. After completing his formal public education, he taught for a short time in Omaha, NE. Then, upon completing MA and MFA degrees, as well as studying in Europe, Schomberg moved to the east coast and taught a short time in a progressive community college.
Controversy:
The “Rocky” statue is Philly’s most famous statue specialty with tourists but, when it comes to Philadelphians they are not happy with the statue. A quote from the APA “But unlike the people in the film script, the real citizens of Philadelphia argued over the work. As an image of popular culture it was unparalleled; local moviegoers wanted to memorialize Rocky’s inspirational climb up the Art Museum steps. Others felt the statue lacked dignity and was essentially a movie prop that did not belong permanently at that location. After prolonged dispute, the city formally accepted the gift, and it was moved to the Spectrum, a sports complex in South Philadelphia”.
Joe Frazier aka “Smokin’ Joe”
Many people ask why not have a real boxer who represents Philly. Joe Frazier aka “Smokin’ Joe” was one of Philadelphia’s most famous and beloved athletes. Frazier, born in Beaufort, South Carolina, moved to Philadelphia as a young man to train as a boxer. Following his gold medal win in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Frazier turned to professional boxing, with an end record of 32-4-1, including 27 knockouts.
A statue of Frazier sits in front of the Xfinity live mobile Center, but since the movement of the Rocky statue inside for an exhibition on boxing in the PMA they plan to move Joe Fraser statue and put it at the bottom of the steps. Critics have called out civic recognition of Frazier’s legacy for being sparse compared with celebrations of the fictional character Rocky, whose statue draws an estimated 4 million tourists to the museum every year. Anglin, grandchild of Fraser, sums up how this actually should be taken into consideration. Placing the Joe Fraser statue, along with the fictional, rocky statue, cannot only show what cultural impact can bring to the city, but also historical impact can provide for someone who was an actual real life boxer who is beloved in Philadelphia.
