Arts & Humanities Society & Culture

Russell Library to host panel discussion on popular culture in Atomic Age

Atomic Bomb exhibition-h
A traveling exhibition "Alert Today

Athens, Ga. – The Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies will host an event showcasing selected scholars discussing fashion, film and comics from the atomic age on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Richard B. Russell Building Special Collections Libraries.

Speakers at the event will focus on the cultural impact of the atomic bomb addressing how films, fashion and comics of the time period were inspired and shaped by both the technology and anxiety of the nuclear age. Featured speakers will include: Kirk Willis, history department; Christopher Pizzino, English department; José Blanco, historic clothing and textiles collection; and Christopher Sieving, department of theatre and film studies. Light refreshments will be served following the panel discussion and audience question-and-answer session.

This event is one in a series of three to be hosted by the Russell Library this winter, all inspired by “Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow: Living with the Atomic Bomb, 1945-1965“on display in the Harrison Feature Gallery through March 14. For more information on this or other events in the “Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow” series, see http://www.libs.uga.edu/russell/programs/events or email russlib@uga.edu, or call 706-542-5788.

“Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow” was curated by Michael Scheibach, an independent collector in Independence, Mo, and Leslie Przybylek, curator of humanities exhibitions at Mid-America Arts Alliance. ExhibitsUSA, a national program of Mid-America Arts Alliance, tours the exhibition. ExhibitsUSA sends more than 25 exhibitions on tour to more than 100 small- and mid-sized communities every year. More information is available at www.maaa.org and www.eusa.org.

The display at the Russell Library is supported by the President’s Venture Fund, the Georgia Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities and through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly, the School for Public and International Affairs, the Center for International Trade and Security, and the departments of history, English and film studies.