Frank Rizzo dons a bikini
Is hot pink Rizzo's color? Street artist Ishknits finds out.
Frank Rizzo dons a bikini
Molly Eichel, Daily News Staff Writer
Jessie Hemmons, a/k/a Ishknits, a street artist and yarnbomber, set her sights on the Frank Rizzo statue in front of the Municipal Services Building at 15th and JFK, giving our former mayor a hot pink bikini.
(See more pictures at Streets Dept, who provided the photo.)
Hemmons put Rizzo in swimwear for a segment on "Streetosphere," a French TV show about street art, that is currently filming a segment on Philly artists. Today, they're profiling noted muralist Yis Goodwin, a/k/a NoseGo.
"[Rizzo] is just a historical figure that I don’t think should be idolized in Philadelphia," Hemmons said. "It’s something I always wanted to do."
Hemmons wanted to emasculate Rizzo in a funny way, knowing full well that if the former mayor was alive today, he wouldn't be happy with his visage donning hot pink swimwear. The security guards at the Muncipal Services Building agreed on at least that one count, removing the bikini shortly after Hemmons attached it to Rizzo. Hemmons hoped that security wouldn't see the bikini from the back. "It drew a crowd and that got it noticed," Hemmons said.
This isn't the first ubermasculine figure Hemmons has made clothing for. Last year, she made a sweater for the Rocky statue, emblazoned with "Go see the art."
"As a female street artist and a female in general, I tend to put these feminine pieces on highly masculine figures in our city," Hemmons said. "It’s a way to stand out as a female that’s also humorous."
Hemmons has previously worked with the city, including a project with the water department, but she's not worried about how her Rizzo bikini will affect her relationship with the city.
UPDATE: Hemmons put a statement up on her website about the piece.
Look at me!! Get a job.- Can you imagine the outcry if this clam on a halfshell put a bikini on a historical figure like Martin Luther Swizzlestick?— GeorgiePorgie68
- I agree with the artist...Why in the would you idolize a known racist? Hot Pink looks great on him! (P.S. Don't care who I offended)...It was a known fact, that Rizzo disliked minorities...I'M THROUGH!!!— Philly Always
- Georgie Porgie....there's a major difference between Martin Luther King and a bigoted Mayor. Don't divulge your ignorance. Well, too late, but read a book or something.— kevmack
- keymack,i agree that thier was a major difference bet MLK and RIZZO.MLK bedded little girlsSEE FBI FILES.— seanmike
- What saddens me is that it pokes fun at a time that was very hard for those who lived through it. The artist may say that that's not the intent but as someone who lived through that time, I respectfully disagree. Most Philadelphians tried to earn a living, get an education, raise a family, get on with life and maybe see a world series or two.— BigDipper
- Like it or not, the honorable Mayor Rizzo put Philadelphia on the map and will forever be accorded the respect of honorable Philadelphians. Only wholly dishonorable Philadelphians would find this in any way amusing.— Bilfar
