The Philadelphia Museum of Art now hosts a jaw-dropping public installation by British artist Antony Gormley, available to the public any time of day or night.

Open now through June 16, STAND introduces 10 towering cast-iron block sculptures to the upper section of the museum’s East Terrace. And thanks to their location on the famous “Rocky Steps,” they can be viewed for the mere cost of a hearty stroll up the 72 iconic steps.

STAND FAST FACTS

STAND brings 10 giant sculptures to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The metal pillars loom over the Rocky Steps at around 10 feet tall each.

The outdoor installation is free and open to the public all day, every day.

Catch STAND on display now through June 16.

Overview

STAND is completely free and open to the public, situated for all to see — and snap for Instagram — at the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps.

The layout is striking in its simplicity: 10 patinaed-looking angular cast-iron sculptures, each measuring about 10 feet tall, appear side by side on the upper portion of the museum’s skyline-facing terrace.

Gormley created the pillars by stacking a collection of rectangular metal blocks on top of one another to create the series of narrow, jagged towers that are abstract and humanlike all at once.

From one angle, the block piles rise before Center City, mimicking the buildings and skyscrapers of the Philadelphia skyline. When visitors turn around, backs facing the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the sculptures almost resemble a lineup of guards keeping watch over the museum.

The installation was created intentionally for an open, civic space for folks to experience the art in a variety of ways. Visitors and passersby are encouraged to walk up to the sculptures, touch their jagged edges and return often to watch them change as the installation interacts with the elements over time.

About the Artist

Sir Antony Gormley (he was knighted in 2014) was born in London and trained at a handful of schools, including Trinity College in Cambridge and the Slade School of Art at the University of London.

He’s been exhibiting his sculptures around the world since the 1970s. His most famous works include Angel of the North and Another Place, both in his homeland of England, and a traveling work called Event Horizon, which has been displayed in cities around the globe like New York, São Paulo and Hong Kong.

Like STAND, many of Gormley’s pieces are displayed outdoors, showing up on beaches, rooftops and now the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s famous “Rocky Steps.”

Upcoming Events

For an ultimate budget-friendly night, check out STAND on the first Sunday of every month or a Wednesday evening from 5 to 8:45 p.m., when admission to the Philadelphia Museum of Art is pay-what-you-wish.

Wednesday nights at the museum offer the chance to explore all of the galleries and special exhibitions, as well as activities like themed arts-and-crafts stations, yoga classes and cooking demonstrations. As an added bonus, The Balcony Café also stays open late, giving art-browsers the chance to saunter through the galleries with wine or beer in hand.

But visitors don’t need to go inside the museum to enjoy STAND. The installation was specifically created to exist in a public space for everyone to experience in their own way.

Don’t miss your chance to stand among these thought-provoking sculptures.