Actor Peter Weller is coming to Columbus for two community events, hosted by the Humanities Institute and Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. 

Dr. Peter Weller is an Italian Renaissance art historian, actor and director. He received his PhD in Art History with a specialization in Italian Renaissance Art from UCLA. He is also known as the star of the films RoboCop (1987) and RoboCop 2 (1990), The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai (1984), and Naked Lunch (1991). His more recent appearances (roles and guest roles) include Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), the TV series Dexter (2010), and 24 (2006).

RoboCop at Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse

First up is a screening of the sci-fi classic RoboCop, with Weller presenting a Q+A following the movie on Thursday, September 17 at 7 pm at Studio 35 Cinema and Drafthouse. 

RoboCop (1987) is a prophetic satire of neoliberalism, corporate overreach and the commodification of the human soul. In dystopian Detroit, police officer Alex Murphy (played by Peter Weller) is brutally murdered and resurrected by Omni Consumer Products (OCP) as RoboCop, a cyborg law enforcer. As fragments of his humanity resurface, Murphy seeks justice against his killers and the corporation exploiting him.

There will be a limited amount of free tickets available to OSU students, the student ticket link is here.

General admission tickets are $15. Pre-purchase tickets for this event and make sure you have a seat!

Peter Weller Lecture on Renaissance Art

The next day features a free talk by Peter Weller on "Why the Renaissance Matters - Giotto, Caravaggio and Storaro: Renaissance Narrative Art to Modern Film" at 7 pm at the OSU Faculty Club. Dr. Weller will discuss the genius of Renaissance painters Giotto through Caravaggio and beyond, and their ongoing influence on contemporary art and film.

A reception will follow. Dr. Weller's book, Leon Battista Alberti in Exile: Tracing the Path to the First Modern Book on Painting will be available for purchase, with Weller signing books. 

For more information, including parking information for both events, go to CMRS' event page. 

Questions? Contact Megan Moriarty, Marketing and Communications Specialist for the OSU Humanities Institute, at moriarty.8@osu.edu. 

The Humanities Institute and its related centers host a wide range of events, from intense discussions of works in progress to cutting-edge presentations from world-renowned scholars, artists, activists and everything in between.

We value in-person engagement at our events as we strive to amplify the energy in the room. To submit an accommodation request, please send your request to Cody Childs, childs.97@osu.edu.