‘Amazing Projects’: Visualization Students’ Artistic Works Star In Annual Viz-a-GoGo Showcase
Paintings, animated shorts, game design and research by Visualization students will be among the artistic works featured in the 32nd annual Viz-a-GoGo, starting Wednesday and continuing through Friday at the Rudder Theatre Complex.
Viz-a-GoGo is student-run and features the “best of the best” work from the summer, fall and spring semesters, said Anna Keniston, co-curation lead for Viz-a-GoGo and a second-year student in Visualization’s Master of Science program.
“Viz-a-GoGo is a wonderful opportunity to see the very best of what Viz has to offer,” Keniston said. “It’s a cool opportunity for people around the school, and friends and family, to come and see the amazing work our students created. It will be a lot of fun.”
The event has four portions: an art exhibition, an interactive/gaming showcase, research symposium and a screening.
This year’s screening theme is “Vizcation: A Visualization Vacation,” which will be featured through filmed comedy segments interspersed throughout the screening.
“Vizcation is inspired by a road trip,” Keniston said. “The transition points in the screening will be themed on a Visualization family trying to make the screening, and taking a road trip to make that happen. It will have a really relaxing road-trip vibe.”
Hunter Parks, senior Visualization production specialist for the college, said he is excited to serve as the faculty advisor for Viz-a-GoGo. Parks also oversees the Hive, a student group that manages program events.
“It’s amazing to see the amount of work the Hive and their committees have done to prepare for Viz-a-GoGo 32,” Parks said. “It’s been really cool to see their excitement during this process. The students should definitely be proud about their work being selected. There’s a lot of talent in the Visualization program and a significant number of submissions.”
The exhibition starts Wednesday and continues through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Rudder Exhibit Hall. Guests can view traditional flatwork, drawings, paintings, digital flatwork, video games, sculptures, interactive designs and brand booklets.
The research symposium is Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Rudder Forum, highlighting research by eight undergraduate and graduate students who are competing for scholarships and awards, Keniston said.
“This is a great opportunity for students to present their research and the projects they have created during their capstone or any other class, or even personal research interests,” she said. “The winners are awarded scholarships by the college, and we have alumni scholarships by Disney, Pixar and Electronic Arts.”
Animated shorts, live-action videos, game trailers, graphic design commercials and time-based media will be featured during the screening Friday at 7 p.m. in Rudder Theatre.
“Vizzie” awards, pictured above, will be announced for each artistic medium and an overall award for best in show. A new award this year is the student choice in exhibition award. Keniston said students can scan a QR code at the entrance and vote for their favorite piece until Friday at 1 p.m.
“We are going to have some amazing projects in the screening,” Keniston said. “The show is chosen by Viz for Viz, and all that I have seen so far is really beautiful. So I think we are going to have a really great show this year.”
For more information, visit the Viz-a-GoGo website.
Top photo of the “Vizzies” courtesy of Anna Keniston.
