‘ArtBuilds’ features student work on campus

USD professors & students collaborate on interactive art

JESSICA MILLS / ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

SARAH FAHEY / CONTRIBUTOR / THE USD VISTA

For the past couple weeks, USD’s campus showcased ArtBuilds, a coalition of USD professors who create art for exhibits like Burning Man, Maker Faire and public parks, and their interactive art structure, “Reflexion,” at the Law Circle. A collaboration between USD Professors Hoffoss, Choi-Fitzpatrick, Parde and Hoople, this piece represents the concept of taking control and changing perspectives. 

The three pillars of rotating mirrors stand tall and encourage student engagement. Turning each segment invites those who interact to consider their perspectives with the different angles and reflections that each mirror provides.

While the  piece  appears to just be segments of moving mirrors, it also lights up after dark. 

Professor Diane Hoffoss explained the intention for this detail, in collaboration with the other artists of ArtBuilds.

“During the day the piece is bright — catching your eye from across campus and pulling you in,” Hoffoss said. “At night, the soft glow of the lights bouncing gently off the mirrors and the slow upward flow of the lighting animation feels very soothing.”

Hoffoss explains these as the “different moods” of the piece that invite students to reflect and interact.

As well as a collaboration from multiple professors, many USD students also contributed to the completion of the art. 

USD Integrated Engineering senior Ysabel Yu — one of the student collaborators on “Reflexion” — explained what she loves most about the piece.

“Art is already a beautiful thing, but it becomes beautiful and fun when you combine human interaction with it,” Yu said. “It’s always a good feeling to walk by and see people spinning the columns and taking pictures of them just enjoying it.”

The art is visibly interactive, meant to be used and engaged with. The artists aim for students to enjoy and engage with the piece.

“We hope it helps pull students out of their daily routine of classes, homework and functional moving through campus,” Diane Hoffoss said. “We’d love for them to pause for a second, look at the art, wonder about it or even make up their own meaning.”

Since its inception in 2019, ArtBuilds has involved hundreds of individuals around the world for various art projects. According to ArtBuilds, the artists have notable experience in large format sculpture, design, engineering, lighting, electronics, structural analysis and other creative practices. 

Art is typically meant to be appreciated rather than touched, which makes “Reflexion” a unique exception to the preconceived notion. 

USD Mechanical Engineering senior Navin Rai explains the originality of the distinctive art work.

“My favorite part about ‘Reflexion’ is how interactive it is,” Rai said. “It was designed to be touched, spun and messed with — within reason — which I think is really unique for a piece like this.”

With multiple shuttle trams and people coming and going throughout the day, the Law Circle is a bustling area that is usually for students to reach their final destinations. 

Placed in the middle of campus,  the professors of ArtBuilds hope to reimagine the space.

“The placement of our piece in particular could liven up what is generally just a thoroughfare from campus buildings to the shuttle stops,” Hoffoss said. “We hope that it will brighten up what would ordinarily be a mundane part of their day.”

The piece offers much to ponder, and it is difficult to not be entranced by the simple beauty of the art. USD junior Andrea Ortiz reflects on the art and its meaning to her.

“I love that it shows how we are in control of our lives,” Ortiz said. “It’s our responsibility to change our perspectives; that is our choice and no one else’s.”

“Reflexion” is difficult to miss due to its size and location at one of the busiest spaces on campus, garnering much curiosity. The piece encourages individuals to remember their power: to notice multiple perspectives, especially ones that may have been missed  when looking into the various angles and depth of the mirrors. 

Students can interact with the piece until Oct. 21, and additional information can be found on the QR code on the base of the art. Students can also see the art in La Jolla Cove from Oct. 22 – Nov. 3.