UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Palmer Museum of Art is winding down two summer photography exhibitions that highlighted the rich, visual beauty of post-revolution Mexico.
"Under the Mexican Sky: A Revolution in Modern Photography," drawn from the significant private collection of Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg, was the major exhibition for the season and will close July 28. The exhibition was organized by art2art Circulating Exhibitions.
As a last hurrah for "Under the Mexican Sky," the Palmer will host a free community event — "Family Day: Fun with Photos!" – from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 27. Visitors of all ages can enjoy a brief, family-friendly guided tour of the nationally-lauded exhibition, then create cyanotypes of patterns influenced by the show’s images using light-sensitive paper.
A related show, "Myth Meets Modernism: The Manuel Álvarez Bravo portfolio," closes on Aug. 4.
Both "Under the Mexican Sky" and "Myth Meets Modernism" highlight the prolific period of art and change after the upheaval of the Mexican Revolution in 1910-20, when Mexico City became a magnet for an international roster of prominent modernist photographers. Photographs by Edward Weston, Tina Modotti, Manuel Álvarez Bravo and others chose to focus on Mexico’s culture and tradition, using their cameras as tools to embrace social and political subjects, experiment with light and form, and represent or comment on modern life.
The shows inspired regional and national coverage in a number of publications, including ArtDaily, Blouin Art, American Fine Art Magazine, The Altoona Mirror, and others.
ABOUT THE PALMER
The Palmer Museum of Art on Penn State's University Park campus is a free-admission arts resource for the University and surrounding communities in central Pennsylvania. With a collection of 9,610 objects representing a variety of cultures and spanning centuries of art, the Palmer is the largest art museum between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Areas of strength include the museum’s collection of American art from the late 18th century to the present, Old Master paintings, prints and photography, ceramics and studio glass, and a growing collection of modern and contemporary art.
Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The museum is closed Mondays and some holidays. For more information or the calendar of upcoming events, visit palmermuseum.psu.edu.