Alice Coonley Higgins Institute for Arts and Humanities

It has already been a fantastic day of ClarkFEST, and we're not done yet. Join us at 4:30pm in the Higgins Lounge for a book talk by Professor Lex Lu from the Clark University History Department. This is our last public event of the spring semester - don't miss it!

Following ClarkFEST, join the Higgins Institute in collaboration with the Clark University History Department for an exciting Faculty Lecture from Professor Lex Lu as he presents his new book "Appearance Politics: Legitimacy Building in Late Imperial and Modern China," at 4:30pm in the Higgins Lounge. In this lecture, Professor Lu will share excerpts from his book, and highlight examples from Ming Prince Zhu Di's usurpation to Mao Zedong’s iconic visual legacy.

Take a moment to learn more about Professor Lex Lu and his book Appearance Politics: Legitimacy Building in Late Imperial and Modern China in the images above ahead of his lecture!

In his recent book, "Appearance Politics: Legitimacy Building in Late Imperial and Modern China," Clark University faculty member Lex Lu argues that crafting an appealing and powerful outward image has long been a critical political tool in China. This strategy is evident in historical records, imperial portraits, physiognomic assessments, photographs, posters, statues, and digital images. Using rare archival materials from Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing, Lu explores how political figures designed their images and examines the shifting standards of male beauty that shaped their choices. Join us as Professor Lu shares excerpts from his book, highlighting examples from Ming Prince Zhu Di's usurpation to Mao Zedong’s iconic visual legacy. Join us on Wednesday, April 22 at 4:30pm in the Higgins Lounge - refreshments will be offered.

** Wednesday, April 22 at 1:15pm in the Higgins Lounge **
Join us during ClarkFEST for a brief presentation and panel discussion about The Women of Clark oral history project. Supervised by Professor Melinda Marchand of the Clark University History Department, this project seeks to amplify women’s voices and to contribute to the University's historical identity by collecting and showcasing the stories of women who were part of the Clark community as former students, faculty, staff and community partners. Come learn more about this important piece of Clark's history and see student work exhibited in the Higgins Lounge. Admission is free and open to the public.

Don't forget to join us tonight for a special concert by Cosmic Lucifer, an audio-visual collective rooted in dark wave, film soundtracks, and the Berlin School of electronic music. Science fiction, literature, and experimental cinema will collide in this electrifying multidisciplinary presentation of “Blade Runner Reimagined” (in tribute to the composer Vangelis), “UBIK” (in tribute to author Philip K. Dick), “Alien” (in tribute to filmmaker Ridley Scott), and “Who Are We.” Composer and producer Robin Amos will perform on a mix of analog and hybrid systems, collected from his 50+ years as a pioneering synthesizer player. The evening will also feature a recorded collaboration with musician Blaik Ripton on analog and digital synthesizers. Glitch video artist Allison Tanenhaus, who specializes in trippy op art and anachronistic tech mashups, will present the music’s dancerly, larger-than-life visuals, rich in psychedelic abstraction and unexpected dimensional qualities. The concert begins at 7pm in Razzo Hall - admission is free and open to the public.

Thursday promises to be an incredible day of programming sponsored by the Arts + Technology Program here at Clark University. Glitch video artist Allison Tanenhaus will discuss her creative journey at noon and then showcase her trippy, psychedelic work during an evening concert by Cosmic Lucifer, featuring the talents of composer and producer Robin Amos. Admission to both events is free and open to the public. Make plans to join us!

With special thanks to our partners in the Clark University Department of Visual & Performing Arts and the Becker School of Design and Technology.

Join us next Tuesday, 3/31 at noon in the Higgins Lounge when Dr. Elizabeth Imber from the Clark University History Department will present a Higgins Faculty Series talk based on her first book, “Uncertain Empire: Jews, Nationalism, and the Fate of British Imperialism” (Stanford University Press, 2025). In it, she explores the multifaceted nature of Jewish politics in the British Empire during the rise of anticolonial national and transnational political movements. Copies of “Uncertain Empire” will be available for purchase at the event. Learn more about the book here: https://www.sup.org/books/jewish-studies/uncertain-empire

Don't forget to join us on Thursday at 4:30pm in the Higgins Lounge for a Clark University showcase presented by Early Modernists Unite. Faculty will share snippets from their research about the ways emotions manifest to determine how we know ourselves and engage with each other. Admission is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!

Make plans to attend this week's lecture and workshop by Dr. Anita Say Chan, author of "Predatory Data: Eugenics in Big Tech and Our Fight for an Independent Future" (U California Press, 2025). Admission is free and open to the public.

We're proud to co-sponsor this timely discussion in partnership with the Becker School of Design and Technology, Clark University English Department, Robert H. Goddard Library, and the Language, Literature, and Culture Department.

For more information, visit: https://www.clarku.edu/events/event/critical-ai-predatory-data-community-resistance/

On Wednesday, November 12, we’re excited to celebrate our fall exhibition by artist and Clark University faculty member Toby Sisson. Please join us at 1:30pm in the Higgins Lounge at Dana Commons for a lunchtime gallery conversation between Professor Sisson and facilitator Asha Best from Clark University Geography. Together, they’ll discuss the family narrative behind Sisson’s artwork and the ways in which her collages counter silences in the historical record of Black America.

Admission is free and open to the public. Doors open at 1:15pm for refreshments.