As the semester comes to a close, final Themester events will stay true to their core theme of beauty this week, according to a press release from Themester.
Since August, events have covered beauty topics in partnership with multiple IU academic departments and local groups to create a diverse calendar of programming. This week, Themester will use these programs to analyze beauty questions and ideas of beauty in science, queer film, choreography and art.
On Wednesday, psychologist Nancy Etcoff will start the week by facilitating a discussion on science’s relationship to human beauty at 5:30 p.m. in the Indiana Memorial Union, according to the release.
Etcoff wrote “Survival of the Prettiest: The Survival Beauty,” a study of beauty as a primitive part of human nature, fertility and survival. Participants are invited to discuss the book’s points or contribute new thoughts on similar topics of beauty science.
Filmmaker Richard Fung will continue programming Friday and Saturday nights in partnership with the Media School, according to the Media School’s website. Both evenings will include screenings of Fung’s short films at 7 p.m. in Franklin 312 as well as a question-and-answer session with Fung.
These discussions will center on topics of beauty in race and queer culture and how they are depicted in the media.
Contemporary dance majors will also work with Themester this week in “Beauty: The Choreography Projects” at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Studio Theater.
The production features students’ original choreography that reflects on beauty in movement, according to the Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance website. Attendees can hear a pre-show panel with the choreographers at 6 p.m.
Also on Saturday, the Friends of Art Bookshop Reading Group will sponsor a discussion about Indiana painter T.C. Steele and his work at 1 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building 103. The event will be led by author Rachel Perry, who wrote “Paint and Canvas: A Life of T.C. Steele.”
Brielle Saggese
