New Passyunk and Tasker window installation serves as a reminder to vote

During the holiday season, the corner house at Passyunk and Tasker is transformed with window installations to show off some of South Philly’s history. Previous years have included South Philly’s celebrity past and photos of neighborhood residents decorating the windows of the three-story property.

While it’s not Christmastime just yet, residents Kate Mellina and Dave Christopher are at it again, this time with friendly reminders to voice your opinion in this upcoming election.

The messages spelled out in the windows tell passersby that, “Democracy still beats whatever’s in 2nd place,” and other words, including “vote,” “create” and “inspire.”

What was the inspiration behind this installation? For one thing, what Mellina calls “Election Stress Disorder” over the state of this year’s election.

From Mellina:

That’s when we did a reality check:  Because,   in our five years here,   we’d met hundreds of good-hearted people.    And – despite life’s inevitable bumps and heartaches – things weren’t looking that hopeless from our windows,  particularly compared with the rest of the world.

So we decided to flip the script and start our annual holiday tradition early,  with the help of the city’s art community.

In the images you can see dancers, musicians, a piano-playing cat and more representing Philadelphia and the message to get out and vote.

You can see these images lit up at Passyunk and Tasker between 4 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. daily, from now until the week of the election. Mellina and Christopher will also be opening the first floor studio space to the public on October 8 and 29, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. for you to stop in and see a “VOTE” exhibit from a found object group called the Philadelphia Dumpster Divers.

Once election season is over, these windows will once again be decorated with a holiday-themed display.