Office of External Communications

Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2006

Contact: Contact: Mike Emery
713.743.8186 (office)
713.415.6551 (pager)
pemery@uh.edu

Dick Hebdige knows subcultures. From flower power to punk rock, this renowned cultural theorist has studied many social groups and cultural movements that radically differ from mainstream society. Soon, Houstonians will get to know Hebdige through three multimedia lectures hosted by the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts at the University of Houston.

Hebdige has authored several books including “Subculture: Meaning of Style.” He is currently the director of the Interdisciplinary Center for the Humanities at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

All of Hebdige’s presentations will be held in Room 110 of the Fine Arts Building at UH. They are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.mitchellcenterforarts.org. The schedule of presentations is as follows:

“Becoming Animal: Race, Terror, and the American Roots”
References to animals and animal imagery in popular culture are explored during this lecture. Hebdige reflects on the era of burlesque, punk rock, country music and soul music, and the integration of black and white cultural traditions during racially turbulent times. 1:30 p.m., Oct 3.

“Un-imagining Utopia: Framing ‘The Sixties’”
Hebdige looks back at the volatile sociopolitical climate of the 1960s and discusses the era’s use of media technology and its penchant for psychedelic imagery. 1:30 p.m., Oct. 4.

“The X Syndrome: Vertigo and Autobiography”
Hebdige explores the concept of the autobiography through a personal narrative made public through the use of a multi-media, multi-object presentation. 1:30 p.m., Oct. 10.

For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.