Issue #5 - Then & Now

then & now

Images separated by almost half a century expose wondrous changes and surprising consistencies in the CalArts landscape

When The Pool learned about a research project Christina Niazian (Art BFA 17) was conducting on the institutional history of CalArts, we were intrigued by the early-day campus images she unearthed. The following pages present photographic re-stagings by Rafael Hernandez with texts by Kat Catmur and Roman Jaster that muse upon the 50-year old history of our campus.

Figure 1 — Lulu May Von Hagen Courtyard It is unclear if the original photograph was staged or whether a student was caught napping. But a mid-day concrete lounge is as much fun today as it was five decades ago.

Figure 3 — Outside Bijou Theater Hard to believe that the Film Today screenings on Fridays have been a CalArts fixture for almost half a century. Yet, slick graphics have ousted those charming hand-made schedule adverts.

Figure 2 — Outside Main Entrance Off McBean The recently completed main building rises behind two impeccably dressed gentlemen, while in the background, a shirtless gardener is mowing a mighty big lawn. What has changed?

Figure 4 — Main Gallery In these contrasting photographs, the main gallery ceiling has clearly upgraded from Tetris to Space Invaders. Concerts noon and night continue to delight and challenge crowds beneath.

Figure 5 — Outside D-300 Gallery Dogs then. Dogs now. Is that why the “D”-Galleries are still called the “D”-Galleries? Perhaps, if a kind sponsor stepped forward, they could be given a real name.

Figure 6 — Inside Print & Media Lab Some printing processes (exempli gratia, screen-printing) have held their own for all these years. But trees have grown, and a Wild Beast has sprung. Oh, and cell phones.