Lancaster Literary Guild to Welcome Richard Renaldi to the Ware Center, 10/8

The Lancaster Literary Guild will present photographer Richard Renaldi in a lecture, "Challenging Social and Cultural Norms," on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 7:30 p.m, at the Ware Center of Millersville University in Lancaster.

The lecture, which is open to the public, will focus on the New York-based visual artist's recently published, third monograph, "Touching Strangers," and include a presentation of its quietly startling photos. Renaldi, whose work has been featured in Wired and Slate magazines and on CBS's "On the Road" series, will engage in a Q&A session following the lecture and be available to sign his books, including his previously published monograph, "Fall River Boys."

Seven years in the making, "Touching Strangers," is comprised of photographs of people Renaldi plucked off the streets in cities throughout the U.S., who agreed to pose in ordinary settings, in pairs or in groups, holding hands, clasping one another, or otherwise touching. In the photos, they appear to be lovers, close friends or family members. In fact, all of the people were strangers to one another, at least up until the moment they came before Renaldi's camera -- and, to underscore their "strangeness," Renaldi purposefully juxtaposed his subjects to highlight their differences, whether of age, race, ethnicity, or apparent lifestyle or social strata. The resultant images capture disparate people in static positions, yet whose subtle expressions and body language telegraph an inner movement of crossing comfort zones to achieve a moment of intimacy. Ultimately, that message dares viewers of "Touching Strangers" to explore the discomfort -- and discovery -- that comes from challenging the social and cultural norms that dictate whom, how, and why we touch.

Tickets are $15 general, $10 Lancaster Literary Guild member, and $5 student. Tickets for the lecture can be purchased online at ArtsMU.com, by calling the Ticket Office at Millersville University, at 717-871-7600, or the Ware Center, 717-871-7018. Tickets can also be purchased at the Ticket Office at Millersville University (in the Student Memorial Center) or at the front desk of the Ware Center, 42 N. Prince Street, Lancaster.