Keep your eyes peeled for the glow of student work interrupting and redirecting public space in these last weeks of the fall semester. Students in professor Sheilah ReStack’s Fashioning the Body class are moving their photography into public spaces — lightboxes, to be exact — in locations all over campus.
In the advanced-level photography class, students explored the history of fashion photography from 1900 to 1980 and how it was used in public spaces. Then they created their own works in response.
“These images are meant to start the conversation about beauty, seduction, questioning, and interruption,” says ReStack. Among the questions students wrestled with this semester: What is the tension between commercial and public use of fashion photography, and the idea of commercial versus artistic motivation and value?
In creating their own images for display, students collaborated with Denison’s costume shop, borrowed period-relevant clothing, and chose locations and lighting.
“The work that these 11 students have created has been absolutely amazing, and they are proud to share a small part of it with the larger community,” ReStack says. “And Laura Plikerd, who oversees Denison’s costume shop, gave us wonderful support.”
The student works were installed by studio arts technician Shahid Khan in locations including the Eisner Center, Doane library, Burton Morgan, Knapp Hall, and Slayter Hall.
Courtney Simmons ’25, Knapp Hall
Gabby Palmowska ’26, Burton Morgan
Abby Roser ’25, Eisner Center
Mason Allen ’25, Slayter Hall
Tra Vo ’25, Slayter Hall
Isabella Hamm ’25, Doane Library
Phoenix Davis-Bailey ’25, Knapp Hall
Alex Noel ’25, Eisner Center
Jailena Almonte ’25, Eisner Center
Mia Fischel ’26, Burton Morgan
