UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Palmer Museum of Art will present a panel discussion titled "Documentary Photography in a Photoshop World" at the museum beginning at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Photography as an art form has long been associated with a sense of truth and authenticity that is paradoxically at odds with the technical and artistic aspects of crafting an image. Panelists will offer their understandings and insight into Steve McCurry's body of work within the larger contexts of photojournalism and the art of photography.
Panelists include:
—Tina Hay, editor, The Penn Stater magazine
—Joyce Robinson, curator, Palmer Museum of Art
—Steven Rubin, associate professor of art
—Will Yurman, senior lecturer in communications
"Still Moving: Photographs by Steve McCurry," on view at the museum through Sept.18, features color images by the celebrated National Geographic photographer most recognized for his iconic portrait of the refugee “Afghan Girl.” Many of McCurry’s best known and lesser-known photographs are on display, and visitors are invited to look closely at McCurry’s evocative use of color, light and gesture as essential components in the visual strategies he employs to create his signature style. Moreover, the exhibition provides a unique opportunity to engage with recent questions raised about the veracity of McCurry’s images due to his noticeable use of Photoshop, and to consider the porous partitions separating documentary truth from artistic interpretation.
Exhibitions on view at the Palmer Museum of Art this fall are "Recent Acquisitions: Gifford Beal in Rockport," Aug. 23 through Dec. 18; "The Gentle Satire of Adolf Dehn," Aug. 30 through Dec. 18; and "Expanded Practice," Oct. 18 through Dec. 11.
The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State is located on Curtin Road and admission is free. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The museum is closed Mondays and some holidays. Extended hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27. Reduced hours: noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 27, and Saturday, Dec. 17, through Thursday, Dec. 22. The museum will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24; Friday, Nov. 25; and Friday, Dec. 23, through Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017.