Digital Graffiti

Professor John Colette led a team of SCAD students to participate in Digital Graffiti, a multi-day projection art festival where artists from across the globe use the latest digital technologies to project their original works onto the iconic white walls of Alys Beach, Florida. I was fortunate enough to be one of the students.

See more Butteries on Professor Colettes site>>

Learning From a Master

Professor John Colette has been taking groups of SCAD students to exhibit at Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach, Florida for many years. His expertise and reputation precede him and offers SCAD the honor to project onto the Butteries, two of the more complex buildings, and the entry towers that flank the road leading into Alys Beach.

Colette has been exhibiting at Digital Graffiti since 2014. This year, we are excited to say that John Colette stepped into the larger role of event curator. and brings his knowledge of the festival, his highly developed skills set, and his experience with large-scale public art and motion media design into the mix.

I was so fortunate to have Professor Colette as a mentor, and I can’t fully express the enormity of what I learned from him. He showed me how to put on large-scale events. He also took me under his wing and offered me an opportunity to explore projection mapping and augmented reality using MadMapper software. This allowed me to spatially map two- and three-dimensional static objects and use projectors to turn those objects into display surfaces for video projection. This technique seamlessly merges the virtual with the real by superimposing motion design onto real surfaces and transforming everyday objects into immersive environments.

Set-up, Documenting & Live Stream

At Alys Beach’s 2021 Digital Graffiti, I was lucky enough to have the added opportunity to help Professor Colette in pre-event set-up. We met early before the SCAD team arrived to set up, test all of the projectors, and ensure our mapping of the butteries was accurate. Additionally, I was tasked with documenting the event, student art, and locations with drones, my DSLR camera, and handheld footage from my cell phone. Finally, I streamed the live event using the MOME Love social media account and created an interactive mobile experience for students who couldn’t attend.

It was an amazing few days. All that I learned was priceless, and I will be eternally grateful to Professor Colette for his passion and endless willingness to mentor and pass on his knowledge and skills to his students.