On February 26, 2025, the DePaul Humanities Center, in partnership with the History of Art and Architecture, presented Africa to Asia: Political and Environmental Technologies in Contemporary Art as part of the Crossroads: Humanities x Technology series. This event explored how contemporary artists analyze political and environmental technologies that emerged through post-colonial collaborations between the peoples of Africa and Asia. The discussion featured insights from curators and writers Serubiri Moses and Jason Waite, who joined DHC Faculty Fellow Yun-chen Lu to examine the transformations created by these technologies. Held at the LPC Student Center, the program provided a unique perspective on the intersection of global history, technology, and art.
From June 27, 2025, to July 3, 2025, the Music Box Theatre hosted Destination Ghibli: Celebrating 40 Years, a film series honoring the legacy of the legendary animation studio. As part of this program, the DePaul Humanities Center co-hosted a special screening of the acclaimed film Grave of the Fireflies on June 29. The screening was followed by an insightful panel discussion and audience question and answer session featuring DHC Director Dr. Yuki Miyamoto, SAIC Professor Savneet K. Talwar, and Japanese arts advocate Saira Chambers. This event highlighted the lasting artistic and emotional impact of Studio Ghibli works on global audiences.
On May 29, 2025, the DePaul Humanities Center, in collaboration with DHC Executive Committee member Zack Ostrowski and the DePaul Art Museum, presented Slow Revolution. This evening event explored the lasting impact of the legendary Houston DJ and sonic pioneer DJ Screw. The program featured Lance Scott Walker, author of DJ Screw: A Life in Slow Revolution, in conversation with acclaimed music critic Jessica Hopper. Together, they reflected on the revolutionary chopped and screwed mixing technique, the cultural legacy of DJ Screw, and the transformative power of sound. Held at the DePaul Art Museum, this discussion invited the community to engage with the significant contributions of a major figure in music history.
On April 22, 2025, the DePaul Humanities Center hosted a virtual event titled Living Through the End: Nuclear War in 1980s TV and Movies. This session explored influential films like The Day After, Testament, and Threads to examine the horrors of nuclear war and its impact on victims. Panelists Vicki Lesley, Allison McCracken, and Min-Kyoo Kim discussed the history of nuclear anxiety, the enduring power of these films, and their potential to inspire collective action. By revisiting this era of cinema, the event offered a critical look at how media shapes our understanding of global threats.
On April 9, 2025, the DePaul Humanities Center, in partnership with the School of the Art Institute’s Department of Liberal Arts and the University of Chicago’s Center for East Asian Studies, hosted a screening of the documentary I Am A Comedian at the Gene Siskel Film Center. The film follows the journey of award winning Japanese comedian Daisuke Muramoto, whose career faced significant challenges after he began integrating political commentary into his performances. By exploring themes of freedom of speech, censorship, and the role of humor in confronting injustice, the documentary sparked vital conversation regarding the intersection of entertainment and politics. The event concluded with an in person Q&A session featuring Muramoto and the film director, Fumiari Hyuga, offering audiences deeper insight into the personal and professional costs of artistic integrity.