The bronze statue of the fictional boxer Rocky Balboa is scheduled to be displayed inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of a new exhibition. The statue's placement at the museum has also been the subject of a separate, permanent relocation plan approved by the Philadelphia Art Commission.
Exhibition Details
Starting Saturday, the statue will be featured inside the museum in the exhibition titled "Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments." The exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of the original "Rocky" film.
The exhibit includes more than 150 artworks and artifacts spanning over 2,000 years. According to the museum, the exhibition examines how monuments are constructed and reinterpreted by artists, communities, and over time, addressing themes of memory, identity, power, and representation.
"The statue is the most visited and photographed public artwork in Philadelphia, with a visitor count nearly approaching that of the Statue of Liberty." — Deputy Director Louis Marchesano
The exhibition is scheduled to run through August 2.
Permanent Relocation Plan
The Philadelphia Art Commission has voted to permanently relocate the statue. The statue will be moved from its current position at the base of the museum's steps to a position at the top of the steps.
Timeline of Moves
- April: The statue will be exhibited inside the museum.
- August: The statue, which stood outside the museum for over 20 years and was originally a prop from the 1982 film "Rocky III," is scheduled to be installed approximately 14 feet above the museum steps.
- Per the relocation plan, a loaner statue will then be sent to Sylvester Stallone.