Ride The Synthwave

In November 2024, the Department of Arts and Entertainment Technologies showcased its creative work through Ride the Synthwave, an immersive event inspired by ’80s nostalgia and retro-futurism. Held on the outdoor stage outside the Winship Building, the experience featured live synthwave music paired with a fully coordinated lighting design, transforming the space into a vibrant, high-energy environment.

Additional programming expanded the atmosphere beyond the stage, including interactive outdoor game activations and a large-scale, synthwave-inspired UV blacklight art installation in the Winship Lobby. This installation incorporated projection-mapped content, further enhancing the visual depth and immersive quality of the event. The exterior of the building itself became part of the spectacle, with a full-scale projection lighting experience that brought the architecture to life.

At the heart of the event stood a life-size multimedia Lamborghini Countach, created in collaboration with the Texas Performing Arts Fabrication Studios and dadaLab. J. E. Johnson designed the blueprints, while I, alongside seven other fabrication students, worked on bringing the structure to life. I was specifically tasked with creating the metal frame for the interior of the car. This became one of my favorite projects, as I was given the opportunity to work hands-on with professional metal fabrication tools and materials, allowing me the creative freedom to fully explore and apply my imagination. The piece also featured custom lighting, audio, and video content produced by students, serving as a striking symbol of the event’s fusion of technology, design, and artistic expression.