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Visual Arts

Viewing 2021 through a lens
Group of people wearing masks at a vigil in Philadelphia.

Vigil for Victims of Asian Hate held in Union Square on March 19, 2021. (Image: Kylie Cooper)

Viewing 2021 through a lens

Photojournalist Kylie Cooper’s annotated photo essay about the liminality of 2021 captured the Capitol insurrection, the Ground Zero commemoration of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, and more.

From Annenberg School for Communication

Arthur Ross Gallery exhibition explores Asian migration to Latin America 
curator standing in front of artwork speaking with hand raised

A traveling exhibition at the Arthur Ross Gallery, “No Ocean Between Us: Art of Asian Diasporas in Latin America & The Caribbean, 1945-Present,” explores Asian migration to Latin America and its influence on modern and contemporary art. Adriana Ospina, curator and director of the Art Museum of the Americas in Washington D.C., spoke at the Feb. 4 Gallery exhibition opening. 

Arthur Ross Gallery exhibition explores Asian migration to Latin America 

“No Ocean Between Us: Art of Asian Diasporas in Latin America & The Caribbean, 1945-Present” explores Asian migration to Latin America and its influence on modern and contemporary art, on view through May 23.
The philosophy of visual studies
Three students standing outside

The Class of 2022 has eight visual studies majors, including (from left) Zuqi Fu of Beijing, Eli Ricanati of Santa Monica, California, and Morgan Jones of Albany, New York.

The philosophy of visual studies

Founded 20 years ago, the interdisciplinary major of visual studies creates a bridge for students to combine interests, including philosophy, art history, architecture, fine arts, and psychology.
Learning to listen in troubled times
People in masks talk about an exercise in listening

Ernesto Pujol leads a workshop on “Listening in Troubled Times,” part of a lecture on the topic organized by the SNF Paideia Program. (Image: Lisa Marie Patzer)

Learning to listen in troubled times

The SNF Paideia Program and partners featured Ernesto Pujol and Aaron Levy, an artist and an interdisciplinary scholar who have transformed both what it means to listen and what the act of listening can achieve as part of a lecture and workshops.

Kristen de Groot

Art from Mexico
professor and two students looking at colorful artwork on table

Patricia Vargas (left), a Penn Spanish language lecturer, took her class to the Penn Museum to see the yarn paintings by the Huichol people, an indigenous group in Northwest Mexico, and to discuss interpretations in Spanish. Juniors Abhi Bhandari (center) and George Adu-Agyare (right) talk about a work titled “Antes de la inundación,” or “Before the flood.” 

Art from Mexico

During visits to the Penn Museum this semester, nearly 200 students in intermediate Spanish classes had the chance to learn about yarn paintings by the Huichol people, an indigenous group in Northwest Mexico.
Simone Leigh’s Brick House officially dedicated on campus
Gutmann, Laurore, and Lowery-Williams smile at podium

Simone Leigh’s Brick House officially dedicated on campus

During Homecoming Weekend, President Amy Gutmann celebrated with the Penn community the ‘dazzling,’ ‘daring,’ and ‘dramatic’ sculpture—one that is transformational for the University.

Lauren Hertzler

Philadelphia artist Odili Odita’s Pavilion mural is a ‘kaleidoscope landscape’
Odili Odita stands in front of his mural in the Penn Medicine Pavilion.

Philadelphia-based artist Odili Donald Odita aimed to transport viewers to a colorful, outdoor scene. (Image: Penn Medicine News)

Philadelphia artist Odili Odita’s Pavilion mural is a ‘kaleidoscope landscape’

The mural, titled “Field and Sky” spans two floors of the Pavilion, with rich bright colors evocative of nature to generate the idea of being in different stages of daylight.

Lauren Ingeno