The Irrawaddy River is the major waterway and largest river in Myanmar. It flows from north to south and it is used by Burmese people daily to take baths, do laundry, wash vegetables, and transport goods for trade and other commercial purposes.

Camila Chaves Cortes has taken three trips along the Irrawaddy watching the life, landscapes, and boats along the way. These inspired her to show these color photographs, cyanotypes, paintings, and a three-dimensional sculpture of one of the boats.

This exhibition is by Boston-based writer and artist and 2007 MIT alumni Will Dowd. These thirteen prints use the paintings of Vermeer—those paragons of visual perfection—to explore issues of sight and optics.

By manipulating these iconic artworks, Dowd allows viewers to see through his eyes—and visual impairment—thereby offering a fresh look at an old master.

MIT Libraries’ Distinctive Collections seeks not only to help hold history for all, but also to inspire the new. In Mens et Manus: Making the Book at MIT we showcase some of the ways in...