1933–84
Monument Plaza, Base of Benjamin Franklin Bridge, near 6th and Vine Streets, Philadelphia, PA
Open to Public
Almost fifty years after Noguchi devised a handful of models as a conceptual tribute to scientific optimist and founding father Benjamin Franklin, he was commissioned by the city of Philadelphia to revisit the idea for a highly visible site at the foot of a bridge dedicated to Franklin. Noguchi’s design conflates the kite, lightning bolt, and key from Franklin’s personal iconography into a freestanding structure.