'Masking' explored in Borland Building exhibition

An exhibition exploring the complexities of “masking” is on display in 125 Borland Building through March 2. "MASKED" is a collaboration among William Doan, professor of theatre and director of the Arts & Design Research Incubator (ADRI) in the Penn State College of Arts and Architecture; Dr. Michael Green, professor of humanities and medicine at the Penn State College of Medicine; and Emily Steinberg, lecturer in fine art at Penn State Abington, artist-in-residence at Drexel College of Medicine, and visual narrative editor for Cleaver Magazine. Masking is a complex act with as many histories as there are cultures. Mask traditions cover the gamut of human belief systems and practices from the mystical to the practical and from the political to the personal. COVID-19 has created yet another complex series of masking practices that vary across the globe. The three artists presenting work in this exhibit have their own distinct responses to "masking." But they also share a common approach – combining images and text in the tradition of graphic medicine and visual narratives, to make what are broadly called “comics.” This exhibit not only reflects the outcomes of their collaboration but also the process, which involved many Zoom meetings and conversations to help them build solidarity despite working alone. See full story on Penn State News. IMAGE: Artwork by William Doan, professor of theatre and director of the Arts & Design Research Incubator at Penn State. All Rights Reserved.