Emerging and Established Contemporary Artists Pioneer New Discourse Exploring Race, History, and Time in Innovative Three-Part Exhibition Colored People Time

Retrospective of Tony Conrad Spanning Six Decades of Seminal Work

First Major Solo Exhibition of Cecilia Vicuña

This winter, the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania will mount three exhibitions that challenge convention and offer alternative narratives for reframing and responding to social and political issues. Exhibitions include: the debut chapter of a pioneering three-part exhibition that aims to build new public discourse around the everyday experiences of black Americans; a retrospective dedicated to avant-garde artist Tony Conrad spanning six decades of his radical and experimental practice, encompassing videos, sculptures, and installations; and the first major solo exhibition of Chilean poet, activist, and artist Cecilia Vicuña, which will examine how her fluid and cross-disciplinary approach interrogates timely social topics, such as feminism, ecological destruction, and cultural homogenization.

“We are thrilled to present this incredible range of thought-provoking exhibitions and to create a space for our audiences that confronts some of the most pressing issues of our time, fostering dialogue around pre-established notions on race and culture,” said Amy Sadao, Director of ICA. “The Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania remains committed to being at the forefront of representing topical, relevant, and fearless programming that champions under-represented artists and perspectives that break boundaries. This winter, we look forward to envisioning a new future of black cultural production, experiencing new definitions of radical deconstruction and experimentation through a survey dedicated
to Tony Conrad’s influential sixty year–career, and gaining deeper insight into the visionary process behind Cecilia Vicuña’s approach to creating positive social change through her practice.”