Dec 2, 2024 - Things to Do

Mystery object appears at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Mike D'Onofrio

A statue stands covered at the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps — A covered object distracts passersby at the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps on Monday. Photo: Mike D'Onofrio/Axios

A tall object shrouded in a tarp has emerged at the top of the Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The big picture: The mysterious human-like shape, standing on a large gray base, popped up Monday, a day before a special unveiling event tied to the first-ever RockyFest.

👀 The intrigue: The object stands beside a marker of Rocky Balboa's sneaker imprints marking where the character ended his morning run in the iconic 1976 film.

The shape appears to mirror the Rocky statue, with its two raised fists wearing boxing gloves, at the bottom of the museum's 72 steps.

Behind the scenes: The covering didn't stop tourists from posing for photos, jumping with arms raised, near it Monday.

What's next: Tuesday's RockyFest event will kick off at 10:30am and include speakers such as A. Thomas Schomberg, the sculptor of the museum's permanent Balboa statue.

Still no word on whether Sylvester Stallone will attend the unveiling, per event organizers.

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Mystery object appears at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

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