PAST AND PRESENT: center city
a photobook by Alicia Lanides
In this photobook, I explore the rapid development of Center City, what has changed, and what has stayed the same. From various iconic buildings and sculptures to the everyday citizens within Philly, these photos are my attempt to capture not only a shift in the physical sense but also a shift in society and culture. This includes but is not limited to things like foot travel, public transportation, car-centric infrastructure, the issue of people experiencing homelessness, the rise of corporate buildings and how the city has managed to maintain its distinguished spirit. My aim was to incorporate elements of the natural and the artificial in tandem in order to demonstrate the overall development of the most enriched area of the city. I photographed pedestrians but I wanted their presence to be a part of the overall scenery rather than them being the focus. Although most of my photos are an attempt to capture the exact angles of these older photos, not all of them are in the exact same location but are rather an attempt to capture the energy of the city as opposed to an exact
replica. To capture these photos, I traveled around City Hall, up and down Market St., around Walnut St., and as far north as Vine St. One man told me to put the camera down even though I wasn’t photographing him or anything around him (my camera wasn’t even on!). Although I expected some negative reactions, this one made me consider the threatening presence of a camera in a public space, especially in a city as vivacious as Philadelphia. There is a strange combination of intimidation and friendliness in this city that you cannot find anywhere else. In these photos, you can see the change in apparel, architecture, technology, methods of advertising, and how citizens interact with space.
(top) the Philly skyline featuring the St. Peter and Paul cathedral, February 2023
(bottom) the Philly skyline featuring the St. Peter and Paul cathedral, February 1938
City Hall as it looked in 1890 from Sixteenth and Market Streets, 1890.
City Hall as it looked in 1890 from Sixteenth and Market Streets, 2023.
Shops and traffic along Market st, 2023.
Schoolgirls pass by St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1722 Race St, June 8, 1959.
past and present | 10
past present | 10
“Feeding Homeless” on Vine St.by Gerald S. Williams, 1983
