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Visual Arts

Penn Libraries receives major gift of rare photographic plates by Edward S. Curtis
image of a Native American

“Nootka Woman Wearing Cedar-Bark Blanket”(1915). Edward S. Curtis Photography Collection, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts; University of Pennsylvania Libraries. (Photo: Chris Lippa, Penn Libraries)

Penn Libraries receives major gift of rare photographic plates by Edward S. Curtis

The University of Pennsylvania Libraries has received a rare collection of 151 interpositive glass plates by photographer Edward S. Curtis (1868–1952) from collector William H. Miller III. Appraised at $4.2 million, the gift to the Penn Libraries complements holdings across the University, making Penn a major center for research and work on Curtis, one of the most prolific American photographers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 
Answering ‘How will we live together?’ at the Venice Biennale
City X Venice Italian Virtual Pavilion A screenshot of the City X Venice Italian Virtual Pavilion, the Biennale’s first-ever virtual pavilion, with Dubbeldam serving as one of the creative directors. (Image: Winka Dubbeldam)

Answering ‘How will we live together?’ at the Venice Biennale

After more than a year of delays, Penn faculty and students were able to participate in La Biennale di Venezia architectural exhibition with both virtual and physical submissions.

Erica K. Brockmeier

A pandemic year, in photos
peter coyle and kyle cassidy exhibit

Annenberg’s Kyle Cassidy, with Pete Coyle, an art teacher at West Philadelphia High School. Together they came up with the idea for this exhibit, which Cassidy says can be adapted to almost any group and many kinds of spaces.

A pandemic year, in photos

‘Apart Together,’ a new photography exhibit at the Annenberg School, shows that despite not being physically in the same place the past 18 months, our shared experiences kept us connected.

Michele W. Berger, Julie Sloane

‘Poldergeist’ videos make knowledge of climate change accessible
pool with pumps A graphic from the Poldergeist video that explains a pump system in the Netherlands. (Image: Simon Richter, Jenesis Cochrane, Justine Seo, and Rebekah Lee)

‘Poldergeist’ videos make knowledge of climate change accessible

In the first video of a series, Simon Richter of the School of Arts & Sciences, alongside a team of interns, works to demystify the Netherlands’ handle on sea level rise.
Reimagining scientific discovery through the lens of an artist
a headshot of Rebecca Kamen in front of an abstract painting

Reimagining scientific discovery through the lens of an artist

The latest exhibition by Rebecca Kamen, Penn artist-in-residence and visiting scholar, at the American University Katzen Art Center explores curiosity and the creative process across art and science.

Erica K. Brockmeier

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.
Roberto Lugo brings his street graffiti and unique portraiture to the Arthur Ross Gallery  
Artist spray-painting graffiti on wall of art gallery

Guest curator Roberto Lugo has covered the walls of the Arthur Ross Gallery with the art of graffiti as part of the new exhibition “God Complex: Different Philadelphia,” on view through Dec. 19. In his interpretation, Lugo has divided the gallery, with portraits from the Penn Art Collection on one side, including Ben Franklin and George Washington, and his artworks on the other, including ceramic pieces featuring portraits of people of color. 

Roberto Lugo brings his street graffiti and unique portraiture to the Arthur Ross Gallery  

Guest curator Roberto Lugo has covered the walls of the Arthur Ross Gallery with the art of graffiti as part of the new exhibition “God Complex: Different Philadelphia,” on view through Dec. 19.
Artist and professor David Hartt is ‘of the moment’
Artist standing in museum gallery with his artwork installation

Artist David Hartt with his installation “The Histories” (Crépuscule) at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the exhibition “New Grit: Art & Philly Now.” (Image: July 2021 when masks were not required.)

Artist and professor David Hartt is ‘of the moment’

This year alone four museums and two galleries are featuring work by artist David Hartt of the Stuart Weitzman School of Design, including currently at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
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.