Cradle
Cradle is a handsome mural, fabricated in silk-screen printed Portugese tile by artist Add/Fuel, on a wall a new plaza in Center City Philadelphia. Bressi worked with National Real Estate Development to select the artist, commission the artwork and oversee the installation of the artwork.
Date | 2024
Client | National Real Estate Development
Collaborators | Mural Arts Philadelphia
Cradle is a ceramic tile mural that is quietly tucked away inside the East Market development in Center City Philadelphia – but destined to become a landmark in its own right.
This extraordinary artwork was created by Lisbon-based visual artist Diogo Machado, who works under the name “Add/Fuel.” His work combines influences from traditional Portuguese tile-making with contemporary graphic design, video games, comics, and animation, creating a unique visual universe filled with eccentricity and joy. Machado designed and fabricated the mural in Lisbon and installed it on site.
The mural was developed by Mural Arts Philadelphia in partnership with National Real Estate Development and Jefferson University. Bressi led the artist selection process and managg
Cradle, part of the newly opened Jefferson Plaza, serves as a captivating embodiment of Philadelphia’s identity. Machado was inspired by the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works (his team took a day off during installation to visit) as well as themes related to Philadelphia being a cradle of innovation in medicine, botany, and communication.
At a distance, the artwork presents itself as a mesmerizing tapestry of color and texture in the Portuguese tile tradition, but upon closer inspection, the tile motifs reflect Philadelphia icons, paying tribute to Philadelphia’s history as a city of innovation and creativity. The color palette evokes a sense of warmth and familiarity associated with the city and its traditional building materials.
The mural is located on a wall that faces the “Chestnut Walk” promenade, which connects Chestnut and Market Streets just south of 12th Street.
