Exhibition explores identity through photographs, videos

"Persona," a photo- and video-based group exhibition exploring identity politics, will open with a reception from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at the Renaissance Society in Cobb Hall. A film and video screening will take place from 4 to 5 p.m., followed by a panel discussion from 5 to 6 p.m.

"Persona" brings together 17 artists who conceive of identity as a set of distinguishing, not delimiting, characteristics and suggest that the essence of an individual lies beyond these characteristics. With the view that none of these characteristics -- be they biological, social or a combination of both -- are fixed, the exhibition puts forth the opinion that we are who we are not because of but in spite of these characteristics. Depending on the circumstances, one may not be as one appears, but perhaps something other that better expresses or represents the self.

Participating artists include Alex Bag, Vanessa Beecroft, Keith Cottingham, Lyle Ashton Harris, Thomas Allen Harris, Gabrielle Jennings, Sharon Lockhart, Joe Mama-Nitzberg, Daniel Marlos, Helen Mirra, Catherine Opie, Anita Pace, Jean Rasenberger, Eric Saks, Collier Schorr, Tony Tasset and T.J. Wilcox.

"Persona" will be on view through Sunday, April 21. The exhibition is organized by Susanne Ghez, with the film and video portion curated by Diana

Thater. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Upcoming events related to the exhibition include two free lectures. Susan Stryker, author of Gay by the Bay: A History of Queer Cultures in the San Francisco Bay Area, will speak at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 31, at the Renaissance Society. On Monday, April 15, at 4 p.m., Judith Butler, author of Gender Trouble, will speak about her new book, Bodies That Matter, in Max Palevsky Cinema.

A concert by the British-based AMM, featuring Eddie Prevost, Keith Rowe and John Tilbury, will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 20, in Goodspeed Recital Hall. Since the mid-1960s, AMM has been a major force in improvised music. Tickets are $10, $8 for students and members. For more information, call 702-8670.