Marquis Series showcases comic book exhibit on gender equality
Priya's Shakti augmented reality comic book exhibition
Protests ran rampant throughout India as the outcry against gender-based violence evolved. All of this sparked by the gang-rape and murder of a young woman on a bus in New Delhi.
Coe’s Marquis Series showcases “Priya’s Shakti,” an augmented reality comic book that explores the cultural issue of violence against women. Co-creators Ram Devineni, Dan Goldman and Paromita Vohra invented Priya, a gender equality champion that advocates for women's rights.
“Priya’s Shakti” debuted at Mumbai Comic Con in 2014. From that moment on, the exhibit has traveled the world bringing a renewed awareness to gender-based violence.
The comic is based around a character, Priya, who is raped then shunned by her family and village. She happens upon a mythological character, goddess Parvati, who is astounded by the violence against women. Together, the two travel from village to village spreading the message that men, women, sons and daughters are equally precious.
Essential to the exhibition is an augmented reality experience — believed to be the first of its kind. Panels of comic book art in the exhibition are animated with real-life stories and voices of Indian women who have survived gender-based violence.
The “Priya’s Shakti” exhibition event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 26 with the creators talk beginning at 7 p.m. in Sinclair Galleries on the Coe College campus.
Coe values its location and relationship with the Cedar Rapids community and looks forward to providing insightful exhibitions. Established in 1851, Coe has a national reputation for academic excellence enhanced by a student-centered, highly supportive campus environment. Our success in offering superb academics and exciting co-curricular activities stems in large part from our location in a thriving urban setting that promotes student growth and success. As such, we welcome the community to participate in this event.