OUTSIDE IN
SADDLEBACK COLLEGE
OUTSIDE IN, mural 24 x 22’, acrylic, MDF, & fluorescent acrylic on drywall
Outside In explores the way people travel through public places and asks viewers to question their respective perspectives. The mural is an homage to original stewards of this land we stand on—Acjachemen First Nation and their unceded territory. Inspired by the clashing of urban space with nature, the mural utilizes motifs of chevrons—an abstraction of “CA” coastal silhouette, poppies—the official state flower, majestic sun-rises and sun-sets at Saddleback College and invites visitors to pause to look around the place they inhabit and question how its design influences the way their led to navigate space.
President's Update - Dr. Elliot Stern
“This creative activity and event marked the celebration of the completion of Luján’s new mural, part of a larger effort to introduce more public art to the Saddleback College campus. Her large-scale mural, titled “Outside In”, draws from the concept of bringing outdoor elements of nature into interior spaces. Approximately 23’x20’ in size, the piece is visible from both the first and second floors of the BGS Building. The design was created in close collaboration with Saddleback students from the Color Theory and Cultural Anthropology classes and utilizes the aforementioned cyanotype method in its design elements.
When discussing the feelings she hopes her piece will convey to Saddleback students, Luján noted her wish to “explore themes of inclusion, accessibility, and safety” through her artwork. We are sincerely grateful to Cynthia Luján for her significant contribution to our campus and also to Chancellor Julianna Barnes for joining us in celebrating this special occasion.
On Wednesday, students, faculty, and staff joined Long Beach-based artist Cynthia Luján in a hands-on art activity outside the BGS Building. Participants took full advantage of the beautifully sunny day by creating custom cyanotypes, a printing process using photosensitive liquid that is cured under UV light, resulting in an image revealing superimposed silhouettes on a cyan blue surface. Students chose from a variety of prepared materials to create their own unique silhouette pieces.”
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
