Why Are We Here?

Join us for Why are we here?, an exhibition of photo-based projects by two emerging artists from the University of Dayton. Working through photography, video and installation, Annie Denten and Maura Parker ponder the meaning of existence from diverse perspectives. Identity and gender are common themes that transcend images and objects which include a shaved coconut, an army of Annies, nude Spanx, and a blonde wig.

The exhibition title is both sincere and playful in its quest for answers to life’s big question. It reflects a state of mind common to college graduates of all generations. However, the tone is particularly relevant in today’s social and political climate. These two artists have kept themselves busy during the changes and shifts of the past 4 years, and this exhibition will showcase their creativity and dedication to technical and conceptual production. Their work has received multiple regional and university awards, and they were both photographers for the Moral Courage Project in El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico, a collaborative exhibition and podcast on border issues that will debut this spring. Parker, a native of Holland, Michigan, is currently interning locally with Think TV – PBS. Denten, who hails from Chicago, is the social media curator for multiple UD platforms. Their work was also recently exhibited in College Response at the Cincinnati Contemporary Art Center and at the Biennial Art and Design Student Show at the Contemporary Dayton.