Lincoln Financial Field also known as “The Linc” is located at 1020 Pattison Ave. in South Philadelphia, and is the home of the Philadelphia Eagles football team. The Linc was built by the NBBJ architecture company and opened in 2003. It is a stadium built in the postmodern architectural style. The purpose for this building is to house sporting events such as football and soccer while it also is used for concerts and other large events. There has been one movie to actually be filmed at Lincoln Financial Field and that is the 2012 David O’ Russell film, “Silver Linings Playbook.” This particular movie was featured around the Philadelphia Eagles as a cultural symbol and the Linc is the home field. The stadium has also been used in other films as a background device such as the panning past it during the introduction credits on the television show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” There have been a few controversies surrounding Lincoln Financial Field such as during the inaugural 2003 season. The Eagles banned any hoagies or cheesesteaks to be brought into the stadium with their reason being security after the 9/11 attacks in New York. However, this ban was quickly repealed. Also, during the 2006 season, fans reported swaying on one of the pedestrian bridges that connects the upper levels. Articles were written in local newspapers and broadcast on the local news. Outside parties tested the bridges' stability and found no problem. Finally, during the 2007 season the team tried to limit the amount of tailgating by drastically inflating the prices of different vehicles coming into Lincoln Financial Field’s parking lot. Architecture of this nature is usually used in the same way that the Linc is and featured the same way in films.

               

            The Philadelphia Art Museum was built in 1876 and was designed by Horace Trumbauer and Julian Abele in a style echoing a Greek temple in more massive Roman proportions. The building is located at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Pa and has housed some of the greatest artistic pieces in history. The purpose for this building has always been an art museum. However, the steps have been used to hold some concert performances for special events such as Live 8 in 2005. It was built to commemorate the centennial of American independence, as well as holding   

the first International Exhibition of Arts held in the United States in the same year. It is known for holding some of the world’s premier art exhibits such as pieces from renowned artists such as Claude Monet, Salvador Dali, and Vincent Van Gogh. The Art Museum was featured in five of the six Rocky Balboa movies (I,II,III,V, Rocky Balboa) as well as the movies “Mannequin” and “Philadelphia.” The museum was used in the background in all of the movies but was also used as a symbol of triumph in the Rocky movies. There have been some controversies surrounding the museum such as the Rocky Balboa bronze statue that sat at the top of the stairs of the museum. It was widely debated whether or not the statue was art or a “movie prop.” The statue went through several relocation phases and then was permitted to be placed back at the museum. There was also what is now known as the Albert Barnes Art Collection Controversy. This was an issue of a trust indenture that spelled out what was to be done with the art when he passed away because Barnes did not have any family. The terms of this trust were widely debated in court at various times and the end result had paintings removed from the Art Museum due to the court ruling. The museum is unique in the way it was filmed because it wasn't featured as art but more as a symbol of triumph.

                                       

         Independence Hall was completed in 1753 and is a historical epicenter not only for the city but also for the entire nation. The architects for this project were William Strickland who did the steeple, as well as Edmund Woolley and Andrew Hamilton. They designed it in a Georgian architectural style. The building stands at 520 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia’s Historical District. The original purpose for the building was the Pennsylvania State House during the American Revolution where the Second Continental Congress convened and was the same place where George Washington was appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. It is also the original location of the Liberty Bell. Today, Independence Hall is used as a museum preserving the historical legacy of Philadelphia. The only film Independence Hall has been used in is “Rocky II.”  It was used as a background device as Rocky runs through Center City with the building in view. The only real controversy to surround the building was the Pennsylvania mutiny of 1783, which was a protest by nearly 400 soldiers from the Continental Army that forced Congress to vacate the city. This is similar to many buildings in film because it is used as a background tool to represent a city and its environment.

                                  

         I believe that these buildings have had an immense impact on the City of Philadelphia in a cultural aspect. Lincoln Financial Field is a place that every Sunday Philadelphians meet to watch their favorite football team, the Eagles. It represents a sense of community and togetherness that brings a city together at a specific location. The Linc is a modern representation of the ancient coliseums where gladiators battle as people gather to witness. The Art Museum and specifically the stairs have had a large cultural meaning to the city. The Museum has been a major tourist attraction for the city and its use in film has given the people of Philadelphia an emotional attachment to the Museum. It also has a clash with ancient and modern worlds. The architecture of the building is in an ancient style as well as much of the classic art contained in the building. On the other hand there are modern representations of art and meaning to the museum with things like the Rocky Statue. Independence Hall is a historical point for the city and another point of Philadelphia’s pride and culture. To me the history in this building alone is enough for someone to feel a tie to. It has been featured on different denominations of American money such as the one hundred dollar bill and the Kennedy half-dollar. It represents historical American culture and doesn’t clash with modernity because of its time period and the fact that it only served one purpose. I believe that these buildings all are staples of Philadelphia’s culture and what we represent in a diverse sense.

Works Cited

"Filming Locations." Total Rocky. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.

"Have YouHeard the Latest?" Trial and Heirs Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.

"Independence Hall." Independence Hall. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.

"Stadium Information - Lincoln Financial Field." Stadium Information - Lincoln Financial Field. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.

http://gridironstadiumnetwork.org/contact/philadelphia/

http://www.philamuseum.org/information/45-154-18.html

http://moviesitestour.com/sites

http://www.philamuseum.org/information/45-289-292-103.html