Sun and Moon by Laura Ochoa

I believe just something elegant and simple should be added to the roof at Mesa College.  I saw the art within a tattoo that I think is very visually pleasing.   One of the artists on the Art and the 21st Century, James Turrell, made a very interesting comment that  inspired me with this artwork: "I wanted to bring the cosmos down closer to the space we occupy."  That is my hope with this artwork.  Again, also, since most of the campus population is younger, it caters to that crowd since the design comes from a tatoo. 
The breakage in the background inspires another interesting facet of the drawing, adds appeal, and sparks one's curiosity.  Is the universe breaking up?  Can the piece be put back together again? 
The image is above the head and shows the sun, the moon, and a star which can all be seen when one takes the time to look up and contemplate the universe.  Terry Allen, featured artist from the Stuart Collection, has created 2 trees at spark passers-by to look up.  He reinvents a natural site with a literal sense of magic.  My art does the same- enticing passers-by to look up and see the sun and moon through a filter of mythological vision.
Students are busy going from one class to another and additional visual reminders to look up and keep their chins up, is good philosophy to live by.  I was inspired by my very talented fellow classmate who used the same roof but featured the Olympians.   My idea is also mythological.  it's design is simple, able to be easily implemented, and will not look too obnoxious.

What time is it?

Attending mesa college, When I had classes around the area  by the library and building D and B. I spent a great deal either on the benches or the picnic tables working on homework or studying and there were many times where I have lost track of time when doing work. I though it would me a great idea of a clock right in the middle so people would know what time is it when they walk pass. I do not recall any type of time system out in that area and it will probably reduce late attendance and contribute to time management. The clock I choose was a street vintage clock that is red, I am obsessed with vintage, I think it will give character to the area, something different something out of place but still with a purpose. -Julie Ann San Juan

Mesa Motivational Mural by Erika Wygal

I propose that a mural should be affixed to a wall surrounding the cafeteria area. The area surrounding the cafeteria is well travelled by many of the students who attend classes at Mesa College. Yet the blue painted walls give off a feeling of restriction. A splash of color added to the area in which students eat lunch would greatly improve the atmosphere. The mural will feature several historical figures such as Martin Luther King and Mahatmas Gandhi. This will give the message to students that even one person can make a difference in the betterment of humanity. The mural, set on the wall in front of which newstands are regularly placed, will symbolize the scale of which change is reached in our community, from past to present. This will motivate the students to strive to achieve their goals, and become all that they can be.
By Erika Wygal

Mesa Campus Artful Awakening

There are times while traversing the Mesa campus that I see true expressions of the creative souls of its students, either in passing or within the class environment, but I see very little of it displayed for public enjoyment as it should be. Mesa College has a dizzying number of talented students bursting with creative and artistic ideas, be they paintings, sculptures, music, drama, or otherwise. I propose that we embrace the creative side of our campus and allow it to blossom for all to see.

You will find attached a series of images illustrating one example of how Mesa College might accomplish this. I suggest that we begin by erecting students' art at each of the entrances to the campus, indicating to our students and visitors that they are entering a place of creative and intellectual freedom and progress. These will help to set the tone of the experiences our campus' inhabitants will have within its boundaries. Even for those who exit the campus, these monuments will be a marvel to look upon, instilling within them the desire to return. I feel that by following the example of UCSD and their arrangement with the Stuart Foundation and other organizations, we could effectively express the true soul of our great campus and of the students who make it so. Upon completion of the first stage, I believe the next step would be a more progressive one, embracing the ideals of artists like Barry McGee & Margaret Kilgallen who see true art in that which we, in passing, perceive as benign. By internalizing this ideal and expressing it within our campus, it would serve as a lesson to passers by to slow down and pay attention to their surroundings – to see the beauty inherent in all things.

By the end of this movement of expression at Mesa College, I believe our campus will attract many more students as well as funding for general improvement of facilities by proving to the public that we are a campus of worth housing students of genuine and exceptional quality.

by Ed Stroh

Mesa College Campus Map

I found inspiration for this project by browsing through different public art works. There are many artists who use the environment around them to send different massages about politics, culture and their social circumstances. Artists such as Banksy and Mel Chin, but in this project I am trying to use art and design as a tools to inform other students and whoever is new to the campus about what is happening around them in Mesa College. In this project I placed the Mesa college map on a crosswalk walls, and I got the idea of doing this from a personal experience. Last summer I went to Mesa College to buy a book. It was the first time I was going to Mesa College, and I was lost for an hour looking for the bookstore. I finally managed to use my phone to find the Mesa College map in order to find the bookstore. That very moment I realized that it was not just me who is confused and lost, and there must be many other students looking for the library or other buildings. From this experience I got the idea that I can create something beautiful and useful, using crosswalk walls as my canvas. In my opinion this would help many students and parents, who are not familiar with the Mesa to find places they are looking for without walking around for hours trying to find the direction. In my opinion, if large maps positioned in key areas many will find them useful. It should be visible and easy for everyone to work out where they are standing in relation to the college. Another positive point is that in this way we can save material and money. For example, most colleges use papers and posters to print the campus maps and setting up these large maps as a permanent tools can be helpful for people to find their destination without wasting papers and ink. A well designed piece that not only is beautiful, but it also helps us protect our environment.

Allied Health Art Proposal

by Kim Lam

The site that I chose for my public art proposal is the Allied Health Building at Mesa College. It is a very important part of Mesa College’s education as it is a state of the art building that is designed to help train and teach Mesa’s students who are interested in pursing a career as a medical assistant. There are six programs offered within Allied Health the two most popular programs are Dental Assisting and Animal Health Technology, for this reason my principal idea for the building was a colorful design that would not only bring life to the building but invite the students to explore the Allied Health Building. It will help make the campus a better place by attracting potential students to explore the building and pique their interest in enrolling into one of the health programs and pursing a medical career. It will also help new students be able to recognize the building through these unique designs. I believe it is a potential winning project because its a unique concept for a campus building; bright colors are head turners and what better way to do so then to give life to something as important as the Allied Health Building.

My project was greatly inspired by two artists in the Stuart Collection: Barbara Kruger & Bruce Nauman. I was really impressed by Barbara Kruger’s work for the Price Center East that consists of a massive image with two clocks and is decorated with several phrases that depict important factors & events that accommodate our daily lives. Her use of images & text conveys an eye catching and powerful message to the world. Bruce Nauman’s work at the Charles Lee Powell Structural Systems Laboratory is amazing, his pairing of words (the seven virtues) in blinking neon run like an architectural ornament atop of the building creating a breathtaking and beautiful sight. Both works inspired me to combine images & fluorescent text in my project, in order to create an eye catching sight that will catch the eyes of new and existing students to visit the Allied Health building.

Hidden Animals Project

by Leslie Lu

     Hidden animals will increase endangered animals awareness with the placement of a metal rhinoceros at the stairway to the admin area.  Most endangered species are close to extinction due to human reasons such as loss of environment or hunting.  However people often overlook this issue.  The metal rhino will not only promote awareness, but also symbolize hope.  Similarly to Terry Allen’s “Trees” of UCSD’s Stuart art collection where three trees were incased in lead to represent the loss of environment, the metal animals will also illustrate loss and preservation as well.

This sculpture is lasting and will remain in our environment, similar to our wishes for the rhinoceros and other endangered animals in the world.  If one examines the rhino closely, they will see a map of the world on the back representing the world.  This will hopefully be the first of many placements of endangered animals through out the campus.