View original and adapted film selections from "The Public's Domain: Transforming Iconic Works of Fiction and Sound" in the Feldstein Immersion Room, 7th floor, Bobst Library

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Join curator Giana Ricci and artists from The Public's Domain: Transforming Iconic Works of Fiction and Sound to view the original film Pandora's Box (1929). Directed by George Wilhelm Pabst, Pandora's Box follows the rise and inevitable fall of an amoral but naive young woman whose insouciant eroticism inspires lust and violence in those around her. Featuring Louise Brooks, Fritz Kortner. Produced in Germany and also released as Die Büchse der Pandora, this is a silent film with English subtitles. Some World Cinema titles may contain mature themes or content. Viewer discretion is advised.

Having entered the public domain in 2025, Pandora's Box inspired several of the artists in The Public's Domain exhibition to create new works based on its content.

Screening Location: Bobst Library | 7th Floor | Feldstein Immersion Room

About the Exhibition

Good artists copy, great artists wait for works to enter the public domain.

Every year, creative works that were previously protected by copyright law in the United States enter into the public domain, which allows artists to build upon, copy, and share the work for free. Curated by Giana Ricci, Librarian for the Fine Arts and Head of the Arts, Performance, and Humanistic Inquiry department at NYU Libraries, The Public's Domain features artistic pieces that remix, reuse, adapt, and transform works of creative expression that entered the public domain in 2025.

Participating Artists

M'Kiyah Baird, Andrea Chen, Sophia Collender, Mae Hutchinson, Tess Rowan Jannery-Barney, Stephen Kaldon, Max Avi Kaplan, Michael Kelberman, Lindsay Liang, Seeha Park, Marie Mardorf, Uma Mawrie, Kylie Rah, Linda Smith, Amanda Levendowski Tepski, and Deena Zammam.

Visit the Exhibition

The Public's Domain will be on view in the Mamdouha S. Bobst Gallery from October 22 - December 22, 2025. NYU community members can visit the exhibition during our hours of operation. Members of the public should coordinate their visit by reaching out to NYU Libraries Engagement.

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