“Equilibrium”
Artist: Eric Okdeh
Curator: Mural Miles
Sponsor: Lily Development
About the mural
“Equilibrium” is a mural reflecting the theme of movement, both literally and figuratively. We participate in movement every day, not only physically by using our bodies as tools to literally propel us forward, but also mentally, by overcoming challenges in our lives and moving forward to become stronger versions of ourselves based on those experiences.
Ties to Muybridge
The representation of physical movement in the mural is tied to the work of English photographer Eadweard Muybridge, who in the 1800’s focused on the photographic study of motion. Muybridge is best known for pioneering chronophotography, which is a technique that captures a number of phases of movement, intended for the scientific study of locomotion. From 1883 to 1886, Muybridge produced over 100,000 images at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, focusing on animals and humans in motion. Muybridge is most famous for a photographic experiment called “The Horse in Motion”, which proved that a moment of time exists while a horse is running at full speed, when all four of its feet are off the ground at the same time, which is a moment previously not believed to exist. In the mural, artist Eric Okdeh made nod to Muybridge’s work, as seen in the bird flying at the top, the runners in motion, and the dog at the bottom in full stride with all four paws off the ground. Themes of movement are also depicted by streaks of color flowing across the scene, and the growth of a flower, specifically a Lily.
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”
— Albert Einstein
Equilibrium
The representation of figurative movement is first depicted by Okdeh’s inclusion of a geometric background pattern of the mural, which represents equilibrium. Equilibrium is defined as "a state of intellectual or emotional balance, and a state of adjustment between opposing or divergent influences”. Albert Einstein once said “Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving.” This idea of using movement as a means of staying balanced is an important theme of this mural.
The Runners
The two runners depicted in the mural are quintessential representations of the use of movement to find balance
Valentina Viana
On the left of the mural is Valentina Viana. Valentina was born and raised in Valencia, Venezuela, where she lived until she was 23 years old. Due to overwhelming issues in Venezuela related to crime, hyper inflation, and shortages of food and medicine, Valentina left her home country, leaving behind everything including family and friends. In 2018, Valentina moved to Philadelphia, and quickly found a new community and friends through a fitness group called November Project. Valentina said that the energy of her friends running and enjoying local races made her start her own journey, where she realized that the running community in the city was very inclusive and open to not only her, but to many different people. When asked what the word movement means to her, Valentina said “it means change, evolution, joy, and goals to achieve.”
Aaron Leon Nixon
On the right is Aaron Leon Nixon. Aaron is an ambassador and tech rep for On Running. When asked what the word “movement” means to him, Aaron said that movement is about authenticity. Aaron discovered his own “movement” by accepting and welcoming his queer identity. According to Aaron, his movement towards this acceptance came by realizing that he did not have to silence himself to make others feel comfortable, and that he has a voice, and his story is just as important as anyone else’s. Aaron said “Movement can be taking the necessary steps to own your truth and embrace who you are by finding the strength to conquer your fears and step into your light. Movement is doing the things that bring you joy, that bring you the most peace. There are plenty of people out there trying to find their own movement, and I can be that inspiration for them by just being who I am, not shrinking back or hiding as a gay black man in America today.”
The literal and figurative representations of movement in this mural are plentiful. Most importantly, this mural shows how our own community can help us all move forward together.
This mural was curated by Mural Miles, a nonprofit running and art curation group with a mission to inspire human potential through community fitness and art. It was sponsored by Lily Development, a family and woman-owned real estate development firm, with a mission to build not just a home, but a place to enhance your daily life. This mural was designed and painted by Eric Okdeh, a prominent mural artist and mosaicist based in Philadelphia, having completed over 150 projects with a focus on socially engaged public art.
