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Institute of Contemporary Art

Exploring the depth of smell through art
Odd-shaped blocks arranged on a concrete surface

Blocks and stones, imbued with scent, are placed on a concrete step in the ICA gallery, as part of a new exhibit by artist, chemist, and linguist Sissel Tolaas.

Exploring the depth of smell through art

With “RE_______,” a fall exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Sissel Tolaas, a Norwegian artist, chemist, and linguist, the galleries put smell front and center.
Cultural representations in films
Maori amidst foliage

Cultural representations in films

In partnership with BlackStar Projects, Maori Karmael Holmes of Penn Live Arts curates films to uplift the work of Black, brown, and Indigenous artists.

Anna Chen

Shining a light on forgotten designers

Shining a light on forgotten designers

ICA Director Zoë Ryan spoke about the legacy of Anna Russell Jones, the first African American graduate of Moore College of Art & Design. Jones designed rugs and wallpaper and went on to become a graphic designer for the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps in World War II and illustrated medical procedures at Howard University College of Medicine. “Though she was accomplished, her path was not easy,” Ryan said.

ICA debuts first major retrospective of pioneering video artist
Video screen and photographs hung on a wall

Behind-the-scenes photographs of Ulysses Jenkins at work and a monitor displaying a video piece, located inside the ICA for the retrospective exhibit “Without Your Interpretation.” (Image: Eric Sucar)

ICA debuts first major retrospective of pioneering video artist

In ‘Without Your Interpretation,’ the Institute of Contemporary Art showcases the work of Ulysses Jenkins, a pivotal influence on contemporary art for more than 50 years.
Accessing an artistic archive as an ICA summer intern
student standing outside with large sculpture behind

Rising senior Min Park, an art history major in the College of Arts and Sciences, is a curatorial intern at the Institute of Contemporary Art through Penn's Summer Humanities Internship Program. (Photo: Wendy Qian)

Accessing an artistic archive as an ICA summer intern

Rising senior Min Park, an art history major from South Korea, is organizing the book and image archives as the summer curatorial intern at the Institute of Contemporary Art, and helping plan a September reopening with two new exhibitions.
In Zoë Ryan, a collaborative new leader for the ICA
Zoë Ryan in front of brick wall ICA Director Zoë Ryan pictured on campus in July 2021.

In Zoë Ryan, a collaborative new leader for the ICA

Zoë Ryan began her role as director of the Institute of Contemporary Art in November. Here, a look at Ryan’s time at the ICA so far and what’s ahead for the institution.
Alumna Jessica Vaughn examines workplace space and culture in ICA solo exhibition
Artist standing in gallery in front of an illustration painted on the wall of people running a race

Artist and Weitzman School of Design alumna Jessica Vaughn examines the spaces, architecture, and cultures of the American workplace her first major solo exhibition, now on view at the Institute of Contemporary Art.

Alumna Jessica Vaughn examines workplace space and culture in ICA solo exhibition

Artist and Weitzman School of Design alumna Jessica Vaughn examines the spaces and culture of the American workplace in her first major solo exhibition, now on view at the Institute of Contemporary Art.