College Night celebrates de Saisset's tech exhibit

By Aitor Zabalegui

Unless you own a Mac and are allegedly immune to viruses, crashes, error messages and the like, you probably have come to learn that the best way to fix your computer is to unplug, re-plug and refresh.

It is a solution that takes some people hours of virtual globe-trotting on the phone with Information Technology staff overseas to figure out. Though we can all attest to enjoying -- and maybe even dancing to -- the on-hold music every once in a while, the entire ordeal usually induces a minor internal combustion.

This classic IT fix-it is just one of the subjects being presented under lighter and completely bearable circumstances at the new tech-orientated exhibit at the de Saisset Museum, "Tech Tools of the Trade: Contemporary New Media Art."

Last year's "Eye on the Sixties" exhibit gave museum-goers a look at the turbulent yet groovy decade through evocative sculptures, paintings, drawings and prints.

This year, de Saisset is featuring an exhibit focused more on looking into the future rather than relishing the past.

"Tech Tools of the Trade" opened on April 17 and features selections from up-and-coming artists in the tech art field, most of whom are from the Bay Area, including Lynn Hershman, Jim Campbell, Stephanie Syjuco and Trevor Paglen.

The exhibit is co-curated by the de Saisset Museum and Kathy Aoki, assistant professor from the art history department.

There is no better way to experience the exhibit than at this year's College Night.

"College Night is only one of our efforts to reach out to the student community at Santa Clara University, but it's probably the biggest," said senior Lizette Faraji, who heads the event.

The celebration is bigger than ever this year, featuring a collaborative art activity with artist Andrew Kleindolph and live musical performances by alumni Jared Padovani and Daniel Stadulis, plus Post Human Era, an experimental electronic post-pop group headed by senior Daniel Finfer.

Kleindolph will conduct a hands-on art experiment with those in attendance, and the resulting work will later be put on display in the museum as part of the exhibit.

The organizers of College Night rightfully saw fit to book Post Human Era for the band's technologically-focused style of music.

"College Night is centered on technology and how it's changing the world. In my band, we see the post human era in a positive connotation," said Finfer. "In my mind, technology is going to save the world, not destroy it, and the new exhibit embraces that sentiment."

Faraji was very animated about organizing this year's offerings, declaring, "My experience heading this event was entirely enjoyable. I'm lucky to work in such a supportive and creative environment. I do expect a good turnout."

Overall, the exhibit is designed to "explore the ways in which technology has shaped our sense of selves, our vision, our bodies and our world," according to Ramona Nadel, administrative assistant to the museum director.

We live in a society dominated by technology, where the Internet has become a commonplace phenomenon and people are more connected than ever, even through alternate realities. Concepts like these are embodied in the artwork presented in the exhibit.

The featured art was created using a broad range of technological tools like Second Life and security X-ray machines.

Santa Clara students contributed to the exhibit by writing informative and interpretive labels to accompany the work that is being displayed.

"Tech Tools of the Trade" is on display through June 28. Also, be sure to attend College Night at the de Saisset tonight from 7 to 11 p.m.

Come celebrate technology at de Saisset with free food, good music and innovative artwork from Bay Area artists. Hurry, before the newspaper in your hands becomes obsolete.

Contact Aitor Zabalegui at (408) 551-1918 or azabalegui@scu.edu.