Carrie Mae Weems, artist-in-residence in Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts, will give two brown-bag lunchtime discussions as part of her residency, "Social Studies 101-Syracuse: A Community Dialogue," which explores the relationship between art and community. Both brown bags are free and open to the public. Participants are asked to provide their own lunches.
The first discussion will took place April 14, focused on the role of the University in the community; perceptions and misperceptions of the community held by SU students, faculty and staff; the role media and popular culture play in influencing those perceptions; and the real and imagined barriers that affect the community's access to the University.
The second discussion will take place on April 27 at noon at the Southwest Community Center, 401 South Ave., Syracuse. The southwest part of Syracuse is one of the city's most disenfranchised communities. The conversation will bring together South Side residents and members of the University community to question how the community views itself and its relationship to greater Syracuse and SU.
Seating for the lunchtime discussions is limited. Please RSVP to Dani Mosko-Wozniak at (315) 443-4782 or dmoskowo@syr.edu .
Syracuse-based Weems has worked as an artist for the past 25 years, developing a complex body of art that employs photographs, text, fabric, audio, digital images, installation and most recently, video. A socially engaged artist, Weems investigates family relationships, gender roles, the history of racism, sexism and class and political systems.
For more information on Weems and "Social Studies 101-Syracuse," visit http://vpa.syr.edu/socialstudies/ . The discussions are part of "University as Public Good: Exploring the Soul of Syracuse," the yearlong exploration designated by Chancellor Nancy Cantor.
