Bright Red Love Reimagined: AMOR’s Temporary Journey

The city’s most vivid red sculpture, once perched in Sister Cities Park, has been taken down for a makeover. The piece, designed by Robert Indiana to echo his famous LOVE work at Kennedy Plaza, was removed on Wednesday morning for conservation. City officials plan to bring it back on May 1, just before the 250th‑anniversary festivities. The sculpture’s paint has faded from years of sun and rain. Marguerite Anglin, director at Creative Philadelphia, explained that the restoration will restore its original glow. The goal is to return AMOR in time for a big celebration of America’s history. The removal was coordinated by the Parks and Recreation Department and Heritage Conservation Collective LLC. The statue was shipped to Fine Finishes Painting Studio in Peekskill, New York, where conservators affiliated with the Robert Indiana Foundation will strip and repaint it. After that, it will head back to its home in the park.AMOR first appeared in Philadelphia in 2015. It was installed on the museum steps during Pope Francis’s visit, a gesture of unity between cultures. In 2016, the sculpture was moved to Sister Cities Park and became a permanent fixture thanks to funding from the city, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Association for Public Art, and the Morgan Art Foundation. The statue was created in 1998 as a response to America’s changing demographics and Indiana’s desire to connect with citizens. Its name, meaning “love” in both Spanish and Latin, reflects that intent. The restoration effort will ensure that this symbol of affection remains bright for years to come.