A LIVING X-RAY
23 Oct 2018
Artist Janet Echelman has unveiled her latest site-specific work of public art with the activation of the first phase of ‘Pulse’ in Philadelphia’s Dilworth Park, which seeks to reshape urban and public space.
Inspired by the square’s history as a water and transportation hub, Echelman’s work traces the paths and trolley lines of the subway beneath, with curtains of colourful atomised mist travelling across the park’s fountain surface in response to passing trains underneath.
Following the footprint of passing subway trains, Pulse emits an ultra-fine, fog-like mist by way of a high-pressure misting system of specialised pumps. To make the installation accessible to children, Pulse uses a mist made of filtered, softened water, onto which lighting is projected. 
Described by Echelman as “a living X-ray of the city’s circulatory system…with a monumental, fluidly moving sculpture that responds to environmental forces including wind, water, and sunlight”, Pulse makes heavy reference to the site’s history. The rising steam evokes both the city’s first water pumping station and the steam from the adjacent historic Pennsylvania Railroad Station, merging a celebration of history with future-looking cutting-edge technology. 
“I’m thrilled to see Pulse come to life – my first permanent artwork using cool mist with coloured light,” said Echelman. “When I started work eight years ago, this was a forlorn plaza. So, it’s especially exciting to see the colours come alive in this beautiful park. The art traces layers of Philadelphia’s history of water with water. With the successful opening of this first phase, I feel great momentum towards completion of the blue and orange lines to activate the entire park.” 
The first phase (green line) of Pulse opened on September 12 2018, helping to support fundraising for two more sections, intending to trace the city’s Market-Frankford Line (blue line) and Broad Street Line (orange line).
For the project’s realisation, Echelman worked in collaboration with Centre City District, Urban Engineers, OLIN landscape architects and water feature consultant CMS Collaborative. 
The work follows on from previous interventions by Echelman, such as her net sculpture in Madrid, her railroad sculpture in North Carolina, and her net sculpture in London.
