Old 12th Street Mausoleum Reopened and Transformed into PhilaMOCA!
Photos by Reuben Wilson
Here’s a little article from the Philly Broadcaster with some photos.
Old 12th Street Mausoleum Reopened and Transformed into PhilaMOCA!
From Diplo’s Dust to Art Must
BY KEN RUTNER PhilaMOCA (Philadelphia Mausoleum of Contemporary Art) at 531 N. 12th street, is where Diplo, an intentionally famous Philadelphia Dj, would throw his Mad Decent block parties back in the day. Other than those smashes, nothing remarkable has happened around this stretch of the Spring Garden thoroughfare–until recently. Gavin Hecker, the sole gallery curator, has just reopened the doors to the old mausoleum showroom to the public as a venue for arts and performances; and, according to Hecker, the new gallery space has enjoyed plenty attention.
With a spacious show room, enough to throw a hoppin’ concert or showcase a plethora of work from local artists, PhilaMOCA provides surprisingly good accommodations, which is particularly advantageous to neighborhood artists, since no other gallery of its size or natural aesthetic exists nearby.
In addition, Hecker takes it upon himself both to pick up the art from the featured artists, and set it up in the gallery. A lot of work for one guy. Although, Hecker says he’s currently seeking out another curator. Despite the workload, however, Hecker makes a comfortable enough camp for himself in the gallery: there’s a functional kitchen, along with a back room Hecker uses to do editing for his music label Tachyphylaxis LLC.
At present, the PhilaMOCA is showcasing the work of Paul Palcko, a veteran Philly showcase artist, Andrew Kelly, an Australian portrait photographer who’s designed album covers for Howl, Josh Harris, with his The Death of a Corrupted Youth, a spoof on The Death of Socrates, And last but not least–my favorite, in fact–Sam Wohl’s Easter Bunny, which I would hang right over the head of my bed, if it would fit, (just come in and see it and you’ll understand). Not to mention, Wohl’s other work, Bike Crash will reaffirm your love, and dread, of the Philly bike scene.
Hecker also noted that he declined putting a theme to the gallery, so that the art can speak for itself: the art is not the gallery, essentially, so your focus can be drawn to each piece individually. When you head over to the gallery, be sure to check out the mausoleum’s little shrine to history in the back. For information and updates on PhilaMOCA, check out there web site, here.