'Retrofuturism' exhibit merges old, new

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – March 28, 2018) Graduating multimedia majors at California Lutheran University are presenting an exhibit that looks at the future through the eyes of the past.

“CLUFest 2018: Retrofuturism” will run from April 14 through May 12 in the William Rolland Art Center lobby on the university’s Thousand Oaks campus. A reception will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 21.

Seniors in the multimedia capstone class began working on the exhibit in fall. A custom-built, old-fashioned arcade cabinet will contain new original games with characters and backgrounds the students designed. They digitally produced animation of a moon landing that will be featured in a large shadow box. And they designed an interactive photo booth and a 3-D display that pairs retro exhibit hardware with contemporary digital media.

The seniors also curated a collection of works in print and digital media after calling for submissions from all Cal Lutheran students.

As a whole, the display showcases cutting-edge technology and the capabilities of student innovators in graphic design, gaming, high-definition digital cinema, visual effects and interactive media.

This is the first time the annual exhibit will be held in the new 20,000-square-foot William Rolland Art Center. The high ceilings and exposed beams and ducts in the two-story building lend an appropriate industrial feel to the exhibit. The $8 million building, which opened in August, houses offices and classrooms for the art and multimedia departments including a screening room and computer, multimedia and editing labs.

The seniors who created the exhibit are Rian Atherton of Laguna Beach; Victor Cerny of Van Nuys; Alison Cervelli of Thousand Oaks; Heather Chandler of Livermore; Nicholas Covey of Alta Loma; Ashley Espinoza of Winnetka; Hussam Faqih of Thousand Oaks; Troy Fukutomi of Oxnard; Allie Kuritani of Tacoma, Washington; Katrina Layton of Langley, Washington; Tyler Lofquist of Kirkland, Washington; Colin MacDonald of Calabasas; Kyle Mays of Moorpark; Alyssa Pasetta of Simi Valley; Derek Reed of Portland, Oregon; Chelsea Robinson of Windsor Hills; and Lane Young of Gilroy.

Admission to the exhibit and reception is free. The Rolland Art Center is open from 8 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday. It is located at 3350 Campus Drive. The art center is not to be confused with the William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art housed inside the doors to the athletic stadium. 

For more information, contact Tim Hengst at thengst@callutheran.edu.