artscape: CONVERGENCE

March 30, 2025
5pm - 11pm

Creative Direction & Executive Production by Scott Brian
Production by Leo Yang

Artscape: Convergence tells the story of how one may encounter the unfamiliar and converge with it to create newness. In doing so, it becomes possible to transcend the present moment and reach toward hope.

Artscape: Convergence is defined as a view of the expression of human creativity and imagination as it comes together to form a new whole. It derives from how arts, humanities, and newly, technology, are divinely intertwined, and how they must continue to converge with one another to form new ways of existing, experiencing, expressing, engaging, and emerging.

Artscape: Convergence exists under the aesthetic guise of 1950s retrofuturism. This art form emerged from WWII, during a convergence of nations and technological advancement which led to exponential artistic development. It was a time holding space for hope in the future. Today, we reimagine the idea of hope as the result of transcending the moment through the act of convergence.

$55k+
Budget

300+
COLLABORATORS

12
Sponsors

the structure of artscape: convergence

2 beautiful venues, 3 compelling experiences.

A DEVISED 3-ACT PERFORMANCE

Taking place in Bovard Auditorium, this three-act devised performance embodies the essence, story, and purpose of Artscape: Convergence. The performance shares the story of the Cycle of Convergence: how one may encounter unfamiliar ideas, converge with and alongside them, and thus transcend to a state of constant open-mindedness. Once transcended, the cycle repeats in oneself endlessly, ethereally, and effortlessly.

CELEBRITY GUEST ENGAGEMENT

Taking place in Bovard Auditorium directly after Transcendence, this engagement enriches a practical discussion around the topic of convergence and how it applies to a particular celebrity’s experience. We brought in Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, a speaker with a diverse arts experience and cultural background and a connection to political activism through arts expression. We celebrated her innovative arts engagements and how she reaches for new ways to tell stories and compel an audience. This moderated conversation indulged in topics of finding oneself through art, exploring a career as a multi-disciplinary artist, how one may use art as a tool of expression and progression, and how the concept of convergence applies to the arts and everyday life.

OUTDOOR EXHIBITION EXPERIENCE

After exiting the doors of Bovard Auditorium, guests will be guided to the open gates of Alumni Park, where they will be able to experience four major exhibition quadrants: Artscape Live (a stage featuring music, dance, and theatrical performances), Artscape Cinema (an outdoor constructed cinema featuring films and discussions with filmmakers), Artscape Gallery (a curated gallery featuring student artwork and installation pieces), and Eatscape (an area for food, fun, and to discuss experiences of the night). The park was transformed into a 1950s retrofuturism- and Tomorrowland-inspired immersive experience with original projections, lighting, sound, and experiential activation design curated for Alumni Park. All featured arts throughout each quadrant will also further embody the theme of convergence and invite guests to personally connect with its meaning

ENCOUNTER. CONVERGE. TRANSCEND.

Artscape: Convergence is about being open to combining ideas to form something new. We must do this to reach a better and hopeful future.

1950s retrofuturism underlines the essence of Artscape: Convergence. Comparatives such as Walt Disney’s Tomorrowland and the artwork of Robert McCall are launchpads for the aesthetic experience. Juxtapositions of sharp and smooth lines complemented by warm and saturated colors guide the viewer towards hope, visually and emotionally. Deeper within this aesthetic also lives pop art of the 1950/60s, heavily led by Andy Warhol. Reminiscent of this 1950s artwork and creativity decision-making is the spirit of hope as society emerged from World War II. Artscape invites attendees to seek convergence with hope for the future.

Concept Art

Architectural model

Render & GRAPHIC DESIGN

Graphic variations & featured guest design

EXPERIENCE DESIGN AND MAPPING

To create a seamless event experience comprised of an indoor performance + guest speaking engagement, and outdoor exhibition experience with a cinema, live stage, and gallery, it was integral to create an attendee flow with clear direction. The venue selection enabled us to bring participants from the indoor experiences to the outdoor easily because of their proximity and aligned entrances. The layout and architecture of the park also enabled us to create sections separated by branded signs that mapped each area (Artscape Live, Artscape Gallery, Artscape Cinema, Eatscape).