New US exhibition explores power of monuments – with help from Rocky | Art

The Evolution of Public Monuments: From Heroes to Pop Culture Icons

For centuries, monuments were reserved for political leaders and military victors. However, we are witnessing a shift toward “pop culture monuments”—sites that celebrate fictional archetypes and cinematic legacies. The Rocky Balboa statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art is a prime example of this trend.

These sites transform city landscapes into “cultural meeting grounds.” When a fictional character becomes a “patron saint of the underdog,” the monument stops being about a specific person and starts being about a shared human emotion: the drive to overcome pain and difficulty.

The Tension Between Myth and Reality in Public Art

As we reimagine public spaces, a critical trend is the examination of who gets immortalized in bronze. There is an inherent tension when a mythical, fictional figure receives more visibility than real-life pioneers who shaped the same community.

Curator Paul Farber of Monument Lab highlights this discrepancy by noting that while the fictional white boxer Rocky is a global icon, many Black Philadelphia boxers—who were major members of their own community—do not share the same monumental presence. Future trends in urban art will likely focus on balancing these “mythical” icons with the recognition of marginalized real-world figures, such as Jack Johnson, the first Black world heavyweight boxing champion.

This movement is part of a broader effort to treat monuments as places for “belonging, learning, and healing,” moving away from static tributes toward dynamic tools for social justice.

The “Prop vs. Art” Debate: Redefining Fine Art

The line between commercial movie props and high art is blurring. The Rocky statue, commissioned from sculptor A Thomas Schomberg, sparked a long-standing debate within the museum community. Louis Marchesano, deputy director of curatorial affairs and conservation, noted a “fraught relationship” with the piece, as it began as a movie prop from Rocky III.

However, the choice of material—bronze rather than styrofoam—elevates the work from a temporary set piece to a permanent artistic statement. This suggests a future where the distinction between “commercial” and “fine” art continues to dissolve, allowing cinema-inspired works to be analyzed alongside classic Hellenistic sculptures or pieces by Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Monuments as Sites of Emotional Pilgrimage

Modern monuments are increasingly serving as psychological anchors. Sylvester Stallone described the museum steps as a “magical area,” symbolizing the journey from squalor and poverty to the “pinnacle of success.”

This shift suggests that future public art will focus less on historical accuracy and more on “emotional resonance.” People visit these sites not to learn about a historical event, but to project their own struggles and triumphs onto a symbol. The “Rocky Steps” represent a universal narrative of rising up, making the location an intellectual and emotional bastion for millions.

For more insights on how art intersects with public identity, explore our latest analysis on the future of urban galleries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Rocky statue considered fine art or a movie prop?

It is a subject of ongoing debate. While it originated as a prop for Rocky III, it was created in bronze by renowned sculptor A Thomas Schomberg, leading curators to examine it as a legitimate piece of public art.

Why is the Rocky statue significant to visitors?

The statue serves as a “patron saint of the underdog,” acting as a site of global pilgrimage for individuals seeking a way through pain and difficulty.

What is the goal of the “Rising Up” exhibition?

Curated by Paul Farber, the exhibition examines the power of monuments and asks why millions of people visit the Rocky statue during a time when monuments generally are being reimagined and reckoned with.