Stephen Margulies will give a Saturday Special Tour of The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia’s new exhibition, “Making Science Visible: The Photography of Berenice Abbott,” on Sept. 22, from 2 to 3 p.m. 

This exhibition explores the photography of Abbott (1898-1991) and its use in both scientific and artistic contexts. It features works from the museum’s collection of Abbott's original photographs, including images reproduced in science texts, and investigates the impact of her work not only in art, but also in science, documentaries and the history of science education.

Abbott is best known for her “Changing New York” project for the Works Progress Administration, but by the early 1950s, she was experimenting with photographs of scientific subjects. She produced images of a variety of objects, from magnets and mirrors to insects and roots, which were included in scientific textbooks. Her images represent an unexpected melding of science and art, which produces an aesthetic that compels the viewer while also conveying scientific ideas.

The exhibition was co-curated by Hannah Rogers, lecturer in science and technology studies, and Worthy Martin, associate professor of computer science – both in U.Va.’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, and will be on view through Dec. 16.

Margulies is an alumnus of both Johns Hopkins University and U.Va. He is a published poet, essayist and scholar, and was a curator of works on paper at the museum for more than 20 years. In his talk, Margulies will discuss the scope of Abbott’s photographic career, and her landmark works depicting the principles of physics.

The Fralin Museum of Art hosts Saturday Special Tours on the third or fourth Saturday of every month. These talks offer the opportunity to join faculty, curators and scholars as they explore topics related to museum collections and exhibitions.

The tours are free and open to the public. For information, call 434-243-2050 or email museumoutreach@virginia.edu. The museum is open free to the public Tuesdays through Sundays, from noon to 5 p.m., and is located at 155 Rugby Road, one block from the Rotunda.