Time Capsules for our Grandchildren

artist Stephanie Diamond

Part of Input/Output: Photography as Exchange

A Mural Arts student prepares to bury her time capsule. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • location

    Tyler School of Art

  • Neighborhood

    North Philadelphia

  • completion date

    June 06, 2013

About This Project 

Social practice artist Stephanie Diamond spent last spring working with youth at Mural Arts’ Southeast by Southeast project space in South Philadelphia. Led by Diamond’s expertise in photography, students explored their neighborhoods and social relationships with cameras in hand. Students also wrote letters to their grandchildren recording their accomplishments and wisdom, and gathered personal ephemera that they cherished. Students assembled time capsules combining all of these materials and held a burial at the Tyler School of Art’s Temple Contemporary Gallery where family, friends, and the public were invited to attend. At the burial, students and Stephanie Diamond signed a decree stating they will return to unearth Time Capsules for our Grandchildren in 2063, 50 years in the future.

Project Photos 

  • A Mural Arts student prepares to bury his time capsule. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Students burying their time capsules. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Burying the time capsules. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Stephanie Diamond poses with students. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • The time capsules were buried on the campus of Temple University at the Tyler School of Art. Photo by Steve Weinik.

Sponsor 

City of Philadelphia Department of Human Services

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