Viz-a-GoGo 25 showcased Viz student work in Bryan May 2-5

[Viz-a-GoGo 25] (http://vizagogo.tamu.edu/) , the annual showcase of digital wizardry conjured by Texas A&M [visualization] (http://viz.arch.tamu.edu/) students from the College of Architecture, was staged May 2-5, 2018 at four venues in downtown Bryan.

“The Brazos Valley community is invited help us celebrate the diversity and scope of this year’s student work,” said Melissa Butcher, a graduate Viz student and event organizer.

The grand finale of Viz-a-GoGo 25 was a public screening of time-based work beginning at dusk Saturday, May 5 in the [Palace Theater] (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Palace+Theater/@30.6734048,-96.3752103,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x864681a2ff29b835:0x56d898f1d46c6f58!8m2!3d30.6734048!4d-96.3730216?hl=en) , 105 S. Main St. The screening was accentuated by student-produced segments, woven into the show, that depicted this year’s Viz-a-GoGo theme, “Event Horizon.”

“Our theme denotes reflecting on the visualization program’s past and looking forward to what is to come, even if we are unsure of what exactly that is,” said Butcher.

Following the screening, “Vizzies,” awards for the best work as selected by industry professionals, will be presented.

Viz-a-GoGo 25 also featured exhibits of multimedia installations, interactive games and still work in three locations — the Ice House, [800 N. Main St.] (https://www.google.com/maps/place/800+N+Main+St,+Bryan,+TX+77803/@30.6801046,-96.3747182,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x864681a5ad9c74c7:0x46a927f24fb8b4d1!8m2!3d30.6801!4d-96.3725242) , VizNorth, [419 N. Main St] (https://www.google.com/maps/place/419+N+Main+St,+Bryan,+TX+77803/@30.6772078,-96.3746577,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x864681a479884ce7:0xb4f6323d20c85a46?hl=en) .; and Blackwater Draw, [701 N. Main St] (https://www.google.com/maps/place/701+N+Main+St,+Bryan,+TX+77803/@30.6795332,-96.3744593,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x864681a5b3315697:0xd74e9d8a28167e3c!8m2!3d30.6795332!4d-96.3722653) .

Exhibition times at all three sites were 2-5 p.m. Wednesday, May 2; noon-5 p.m. Thursday, May 3; noon-10 p.m. Friday, May 4, and noon-7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5.

The May 4 viewing hours were part of Bryan’s [First Friday] (http://www.downtownbryan.com/first-friday/) arts celebration featuring live music, artist demonstrations and happy hour specials in the historic district’s numerous restaurants and bars.

For updates about 2018's Viz-a-GoGo and more information, visit the event [website] (http://vizagogo.tamu.edu/) .

Presented by the [Department of Visualization] (http://viz.arch.tamu.edu/) , Viz-a-GoGo 25 event sponsors include [Advent GX] (http://www.adventgx.com/) , a Bryan-based economic development company; the [Arts Council of the Brazos Valley] (http://www.acbv.org/) ; the [Downtown Bryan Association] (https://www.downtownbryan.com/) ; and the Texas A&M College of Architecture.

Visualization studies at Texas A&M

Since 1989, the [Master of Science in Visualization] (http://viz.arch.tamu.edu/graduate/ms-viz-curriculum/) program at Texas A&M has provided a steady stream of aspirants for the burgeoning field of digital and electronic visualization. Visualization students are true Renaissance men and women, gifted with a unique left-right-brain ambidexterity, facilitating a mastery of both art and science.

The program's graduates have achieved success as creative directors, computer animators, university professors and software designers, with the majority working in the animation, visual effects and electronic gaming industries. Aggie Viz students are found among the creative talent at [Pixar] (http://www.pixar.com/) , [Blue Sky] (http://blueskystudios.com/) , [Walt Disney Animation Studios] (http://www.disneyanimation.com/) , [Industrial Light and Magic] (http://www.ilm.com/) , [Dreamworks Animation] (http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/) , [Electronic Arts] (http://www.ea.com/) , [Rhythm & Hues Studios] (http://www.rhythm.com/home/) , [Reel FX] (http://www.reelfx.com/) and [Sony Pictures Imageworks] (http://www.imageworks.com/) .

The department’s stature is augmented by its regular rank among the top [animation] (http://one.arch.tamu.edu/news/2016/4/12/top-animation-schools-us/) , video game design and illustration and drawing programs in the nation.

After almost a decade of outstanding achievement in visualization education in its Visualization Laboratory, the College of Architecture established the Department of Visualization at Texas A&M.

In January 2009 the undergraduate [Bachelor of Science in Visualization] (http://viz.arch.tamu.edu/undergraduate/bachelor-science/) program was introduced, followed in 2012 by Texas A&M's first graduate-level fine arts degree, the [Master of Fine Arts in Visualization] (http://one.arch.tamu.edu/news/2012/8/7/viz-mfa-programm/) .

The Department of Visualization nurtures a unique, synergetic studio environment combining academic rigor with creativity, fun, camaraderie and collaborative problem solving.

Richard Nira
rnira@arch.tamu.edu