As art continues to evolve, its very definition does, too. Gone are the days when "art" referred almost exclusively to paintbrush and canvas. Today, artists are free to explore a much larger spectrum of media, and at the Institute of Contemporary Art on South 36th Street, Philadelphians can wonder over the works.
From video art and striking installations to architecturally inspired sculptures, the Institute of Contemporary Art houses a treasure trove of modern and, sometimes, offbeat masterpieces. The works come from all over the world; origin is no factor when the Institute's curators select an item. All they care about is that the piece pushes the boundaries of present-day society and piques the interest of spectators—perhaps even triggers intelligent discussion.
The exhibits rotate constantly. Since there's no permanent collection, you might encounter something new every time you visit (admission is always free), from canvasses painted in a single hue to tree houses constructed with an eco-friendly philosophy in mind. Make the short trip from Meetinghouse to Institute of Contemporary Art to expand your horizons.
Institute of Contemporary Art
118 South 36th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-7108
icaphila.org
www.yelp.com/biz/institute-of-contemporary-art-philadelphia
