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Fall arts at Ohio State

September 30, 2012

Annie Leibovitz's work has been in magazines from Vanity Fair to Rolling Stone—and now, through a Wexner Center exhibition, the renowned American portrait photographer has a presence on Ohio State's campus.


Richard Nixon leaving the White House, 1974. A naked John Lennon embracing Yoko Ono, 1980. Mick Jagger in an elevator, 1975.

Annie Leibovitz has taken some of the most memorable photos of our time--and through her Wexner Center exhibition, more than 200 of her photos will be on campus through Dec. 30. (See details of the exhibition and her Wexner Prize.)

The Leibovitz show is the centerpiece of an arts explosion this fall at Ohio State.

"Our university plays an extremely important role in the arts and culture," says Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee. "As one of the most dynamic, intellectually stimulating institutions in this country, Ohio State is creating its own burgeoning arts district." (Read the president's blog post, "Of Leibovitz and Lear.")

Next month, hop a bus downtown to the Urban Arts Space to experience Inosculation, featuring works from 40 artists--past and present--from the Department of Art. Stop by the Wexner Center to engage in creative conversations with alums like filmmaker Steve Martino and John C Jay, co-global creative director for the Wieden+Kennedy ad agency. Or, stroll over to the Drake's Thurber Theatre for The Mystery of Edwin Drood, a "whodunit" solve-it-yourself Broadway musical.

From the stage to the gallery, Ohio State's vibrant arts and culture scene offers no shortage of opportunities. Some highlights:

Global art on a local stage: As a result of the ongoing collaboration between Ohio State and the UK's Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), the RSC's Young People's Shakespeare production of King Lear comes to campus Oct. 31 – Nov. 10. This stripped-down version of the classic will bring Shakespeare to life for viewers of all ages.

Connecting students with the arts: The Wexner Center is hosting a student party to celebrate the opening of the Leibovitz exhibition--and all year long, Ohio State students, faculty, and staff get free tickets to any School of Music performance.

Big stars, right on campus: Singer and actor Harry Belafonte brings his documentary, Sing Your Song, to campus Oct. 26; he'll discuss his life and career with Ohio State Prof. Michelle Alexander. And Bebe Miller--one of the nation's most highly regarded contemporary choreographers and an Ohio State faculty member--is the subject of "Tracing History" at the Urban Arts Space.

Gateway to the arts: Picture 15th and High as a vibrant arts district--a place where musicians, designers, actors, dancers, and visual artists perform together. Ohio State is working to make that happen, starting with renovations and reconfigurations of campus arts hubs like Hughes, Hopkins, Hayes, and Sullivant Halls.

Join the conversation

#osuarts #wexannie

"Annie Leibovitz at the Wex" links


Image credits

Annie Leibovitz, Plano, Illinois, 2011. © Annie Leibovitz

The Cerro Pedernal from Georgia O’Keeffe’s patio at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, 2010. © Annie Leibovitz. From “Pilgrimage” (Random House, 2011)