Kara Crombie
Sample Philly (2015)
"Every music classroom in Philadelphia should have a drum machine and a sampler."
– Andrew Butler, Philadelphia Musician
The proposed monument is an interactive sculpture in Franklin Square that functions as a programmable drum machine and sampler, with a sound bank of musical loops drawn from Philadelphia's rich musical history. In recent years, Franklin Square has been developed as a "playtime oasis" containing attractions geared toward family entertainment, such as a carousel and a mini golf course. The monument would not only match this agenda but would also serve as a gateway for children in Philadelphia to become acquainted with the city's musical legacies. In a time when art education has been cut from Philadelphia schools, and tools of musical expression are inaccessible to many children, this monument would provide an outlet for musical creativity. It could also function as the centerpiece for performance events in the city, as well as an archive of the musical experiments created by a future generation of Philadelphia artists.