ThirstyFish

Artist: Meg Saligman, 1999


Please read the two posts introducing the Philadelphia's Mural Arts Program and The Mural Mile before you follow the photo tour. You can also begin the tour with the First Mural.

In Greek Mythology, Muses are inspirational goddesses of literature and the arts. Artists, writers, poets and musicians have considered individuals and things that have inspired them as their muses. Throughout history, philosophers, artists, architects and scientists have obsessed with the concept of perfection. Many have considered the the sphere to be the most symmetric, most perfect form.

In this mural, the Muses are generating and distributing spheres of inspiration for the various arts.

Elegance, beauty and perfection are not limited to the arts. Many scientists have asserted that their discoveries are in part because of their pursuit of beauty or perfection. While his theory seemingly contradicted experimental data, Richard Feynman has stated that he stuck with it because: "It had elegance and beauty. The god damn thing was gleaming". Similarly Albert Einstein has said: "After a certain high level of technical skill is achieved, science and art tend to coalesce in esthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientists are always artists as well".

We all need muses!