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Arts & Humanities

Documenting architecture and memories of a changing neighborhood
"On Exactitude in Science (Watts)" showing on screen at the Barnes.

Documenting architecture and memories of a changing neighborhood

A film by Penn fine arts professor David Hartt about Watts, a historically Black neighborhood in Los Angeles, is one of five videos included in ‘Freedom Dreams,’ an exhibition at the Barnes in Philadelphia that centers the “memories, dreams, and histories of Black Americans.”

3 min. read

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Lessons from the Schuylkill River on community-engaged research
People kayak on the Schuylkill River.

Image: Bethany Wiggin

Lessons from the Schuylkill River on community-engaged research

A historian working on both sides of the Atlantic, Bethany Wiggin, a professor of German in the School of Arts & Sciences, is interested in how historic legacies—including pollution—shape modern landscapes and how changed landscapes impact human populations.

3 min. read

Ralph Lemon named David Evans Family Artist-in-Residence at the Arthur Ross Gallery

Ralph Lemon named David Evans Family Artist-in-Residence at the Arthur Ross Gallery

Lemon, the acclaimed MacArthur Fellow, is researching architectural shadows, drawing on the Penn Libraries’ collections and the architecture of Frank Furness’s landmark Fisher Fine Arts Library building. His eight-week residency will culminate in a public lecture-performance on Sept. 18.

How artists have depicted—and shaped—society’s relationship with the sea
Wave painting by Gustave Courbet.

Courbet, Gustave, “Waves.” 1870, oil on canvas.

(Image: Philadelphia Museum of Art: The Louis E. Stern Collection, 1963-181-21. https://www.philamuseum.org/objects/59527)

How artists have depicted—and shaped—society’s relationship with the sea

In recognition of the summer season and beach vacations, Penn Today spoke with history of art professor Ann Kuttner about ancient Roman portrayals of the sea and Ph.D. student Benjy Jude about 19th-century French seascapes.

4 min. read

Documenting architecture and memories of a changing neighborhood
"On Exactitude in Science (Watts)" showing on screen at the Barnes.

Image: Erica Moser

Documenting architecture and memories of a changing neighborhood

A film by Penn fine arts professor David Hartt about Watts, a historically Black neighborhood in Los Angeles, is one of five videos included in “Freedom Dreams,” an exhibition at the Barnes in Philadelphia that centers the “memories, dreams, and histories of Black Americans.”

3 min. read

The enduring significance of ‘The Odyssey’
Illustration depicting Homer’s “The Odyssey”

Image: Vanessa Lovegrove, Penn Arts & Sciences

The enduring significance of ‘The Odyssey’

In July, a new adaptation of the famous poem hits the big screen. Three Arts & Sciences faculty members discuss Homer’s epic.

From Omnia

2 min. read

Celebrating history and possibility on Market Street
The exterior of Meantime on Market on Philadelphia’s Market Street.

The site of Meantime on Market on the 900 block of Market Street.

(Image: Charlie Shuck for Meantime)

Celebrating history and possibility on Market Street

As Philadelphia celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, one of the City’s founding streets is back in the spotlight.

From the Weitzman School of Design

2 min. read

Philly Anthems: WXPN commemorates America 250 through local music
WXPN sign atop its building in West Philly.

In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, WXPN will roll out Philly Anthems this July through the fall. The timely project showcases original, freedom-themed songs from a Philadelphia-based cohort of seasoned and emerging musicians.

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Philly Anthems: WXPN commemorates America 250 through local music

This month, WXPN rolls out its Philly Anthems project, featuring original songs from a Philadelphia-based group of seasoned and emerging musicians prompted by a timely theme: freedom.

2 min. read

The concept, popularity, and dismissal of the ‘beach read’
Beach reads display table at bookstore.

Cheryl Krementz of Penn Business Services—which oversees the Penn Bookstore—says that a beach read “leans toward the ‘lighter’ genre: romantasy, light science fiction, memoir and cozy mysteries, true crime.” She describes the bookstore’s selection as “very Penn beach reads,” as they are “fun and breezy with a little bit of intellect in it.”

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The concept, popularity, and dismissal of the ‘beach read’

Penn Today talked about beach reads with comparative literature Ph.D. candidate Angelina Eimannsberger, whose dissertation focuses on women readers, social media, the romance genre, and bookstores.

3 min. read

A historic ode to the Fourth of July—in the Penn Libraries
A two-page spread of an aged printed broadside poem titled “An Ode for the 4th of July 1788,” with the left page featuring decorative vine-like borders framing the poem’s text and the right page mostly blank with faint, reversed text showing through the paper.

A broadside of “An Ode for the Fourth of July, 1788,” written by Francis Hopkinson. The copy, which previously belonged to Benjamin Franklin, is part of the Francis Hopkinson Collections at the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. 

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Libraries)

A historic ode to the Fourth of July—in the Penn Libraries

“An Ode for the Fourth of July, 1788” is a songsheet by 1757 graduate and Declaration of Independence signer Francis Hopkinson held in the Kislak Center. It represents an early celebration of a new nation and a reckoning with what patriotism in a burgeoning democracy should look like.

3 min. read

Arthur Ross Gallery to launch America 250 exhibition this fall
A painting depicting The City of Philadelphia as it appeared in the Year 1800. The scene shows a green field with trees to the right; red brick buildings to the left and in the background; and citizens walking and socializing together throughout the piece.

“Back of the State House, Philadelphia”. Plate 22 from “The City of Philadelphia as it appeared in the Year 1800”. Published by W. Birch, Springland Cot. near Neshaminy Bridge on the Bristol Road; Pennsylvania. Decr. 31st 1800. University of Pennsylvania Art Collection, Philadelphia.

(Image: Courtesy of the Arthur Ross Gallery)

Arthur Ross Gallery to launch America 250 exhibition this fall

‘At Liberty: Life in the City of Brotherly Love During the Early Republic’ will be on view Aug. 28 through Dec. 13. The fall exhibition, located in the Arthur Ross Gallery, will consider the role of visual culture and perceptions of Philadelphia during the era of the Revolution.

1 min. read