San José Museum of Art (SJMA) is set to host “Retro Tech Night: Ctrl+Art+Delight,” an evening event designed to offer attendees a chance to “reset and refresh” through a variety of interactive experiences.
A Blend of Art and Technology
The event, scheduled for an unspecified date, will feature hands-on artmaking activities, live music, vintage video games, and demonstrations from partner organizations. Tours of the Museum’s collection galleries, focused on the intersection of art and technology, will also be available.
A diverse group of collaborators are contributing to the event, including the Bay Area Glass Institute, the California Room of the San José Public Library, History San José, and several teams from SJMA itself. Artists Julie Cardenas, James Morgan, James Morgan & Cole Pegerson, and Tim Thompson are also listed as collaborators.
Musical Performance
Character Select, founded by Trevor Strohl (saxophone), will perform at the event. The band also includes Jonathan Franaszek (piano), Dylan Escudero (guitar), Miguel “FRUNKYMAN” Leyva (bass), and Nick Aganad (drums). They aim to transport audiences to familiar gaming landscapes, from Hyrule to the Mushroom Kingdom.
Projects and collectives involved include Fashioning Circuits @ SJSU, Digital Swap Meet, and #cƐ:loudym:3dia by n@p_t1m:3, comprised of Noe Naranjo Arias, Aaron Peleaz, and Phin Nguyen. Gameshop Downstairs is also listed as a contributing company.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of activities will be offered?
The event will feature hands-on artmaking activities, vintage video games, and partner demonstrations.
Who is performing at the event?
Character Select, a five-piece band blending video game music with jazz, funk, and rock, will be performing live.
Which organizations are collaborating on this event?
Collaborating organizations include the Bay Area Glass Institute, California Room, San José Public Library, Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, History San José, King Library Digital Humanities Center, SJMA Education Team, and SJMA Let’s Look at Art Team.
similar events could be planned in the future, potentially expanding the range of interactive exhibits and collaborative partnerships. The success of this event may influence SJMA’s programming decisions going forward.
