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Arts & Humanities

Who, What, Why: Devdyuti Paul
Devdyuti Paul rests against a pillar in front of Fisher Fine Arts Library

People need art, Paul says. “It’s life-changing. It’s a way for people to feel catharsis.”

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Who, What, Why: Devdyuti Paul

In a summer internship at the Barnes Foundation, Devdyuti Paul makes the arts accessible.

Kristina García

Sound research as a lens to understanding the world
Illustration of a person wearing headphones with swirling whales and birds surrounding them.

Image: Maggie Chiang for OMNIA

Sound research as a lens to understanding the world

Researchers across Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences are turning to sound for new answers to questions on subjects from birdsong to the benefits of music exposure.

Laura Dattaro

Art Matters: ‘In the Garden’ by Jennifer Bartlett
Lynn Dolby points to one of Jennifer Bartlett’s “In the Garden” panels.

Lynn Smith Dolby, director of the Penn Art Collection. 

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Art Matters: ‘In the Garden’ by Jennifer Bartlett

During these hot days of summer, the cool of a garden water feature depicted in “In the Garden” by artist Jennifer Bartlett could provide some respite. Made of 270 one-foot-square steel plates painted with enamel, sections of the mural are installed in five locations in Van Pelt Library.
New Arthur Ross Gallery show explores the legacy of American artist David Driskell
two people looking at five artworks on a wall

The new exhibition at the Arthur Ross Gallery, “David C. Driskell and Friends: Creativity, Collaboration, and Friendship,” is on view until Sept. 15.

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New Arthur Ross Gallery show explores the legacy of American artist David Driskell

A new exhibition at the Arthur Ross Gallery, on view through Sept. 15, explores the work and legacy of David Driskell, a leading American artist, scholar, and curator who was central to establishing African American art as a field of study.
ICA presents dual new exhibits for summer, fall
A gazing ball atop a bird bath and a stylized snake on astroturf.

“Where I Learned to Look: Art from the Yard.”

(Image: Constance Mensh)

ICA presents dual new exhibits for summer, fall

The Institute of Contemporary Art’s summer and fall exhibitions highlight an eclectic collection of yard art and domestic interiors and scenes that are both familiar and uncomfortable.
Measuring readers of romance
two people looking at laptop computers

James English (left) and J.D. Porter have been collaborating on the research project for more than three years. 

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Measuring readers of romance

Researchers at Penn's Price Lab for Digital Humanities conducted a quantitative analysis of the romance genre, studying thousands of avid readers and the hundreds of thousands of books in their collections in Goodreads
Weitzman’s Sharon Hayes explores performance, identity, and history
Installation view of Sharon Hayes’ “Ricerche: four, 2024”

Installation view of Sharon Hayes’ “Ricerche: four, 2024,” at the Whitney Biennial.

Installation view of Sharon Hayes’ “Ricerche: four, 2024,” at the Whitney Biennial. (Image: Ron Amstutz)

Weitzman’s Sharon Hayes explores performance, identity, and history

The professor of fine arts is debuting the fifth installment of her video series “Ricerche” at the 2024 Whitney Biennial.

From the Weitzman School of Design

Picturing artistic pursuits
students working with clay slabs at a table

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Picturing artistic pursuits

Hundreds of undergraduates take classes in the fine arts each semester, among them painting and drawing, ceramics and sculpture, printmaking and animation, photography and videography. The courses, through the School of Arts & Sciences and the Stuart Weitzman School of Design, give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in an art form in a collaborative way.
Art Matters: Sam Maitin’s ‘Celebration’ mural
Celebration mural.

Artist Sam Maitin created his "Celebration" mural specifically for this space in the Annenberg School for Communication.

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Art Matters: Sam Maitin’s ‘Celebration’ mural

The artist known as Philadelphia’s “Mayor of the Arts” created the 17 colorful, playful pieces specifically for the Annenberg School for Communication.