The Philadelphia Museum of Art previewed a new exhibition titled "Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments," timed to coincide with the nation's 250th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the "Rocky" film. The exhibition focuses on the iconic Rocky statue at the base of the museum's steps, and a talk featured guest curator Paul Farber and Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, daughter of boxing legend Joe Frazier. A statue of Joe Frazier will be moved to the base of the Art Museum steps, where the Rocky statue once stood. The exhibit opens to the public on April 25, 2026.
This exhibition matters because it connects a beloved pop culture icon—the Rocky statue—to broader themes of monument-making and public art, while also acknowledging the real-life boxing history that inspired the films. By incorporating Joe Frazier's statue and involving his family, the show highlights the intersection of cinema, sports, and civic commemoration, offering a timely reflection on how monuments shape collective memory during a major national anniversary.