A Vision Realized Through Time and Technology

In 1974, a 23-year-old UC Santa Barbara student named David McCutchen took up an offer of free art supplies and transformed a blank wall in the University Center into something extraordinary. Painted to the exact structural notes of Joaquín Rodrigo’s guitar concerto Concierto de Aranjuez, the 26-foot mural was designed not just as a static piece of visual art, but as a realistic portrait of music. Five decades later, McCutchen’s original vision is finally coming to fruition.

While students and visitors have enjoyed the bold, hand-painted mural for years, the work was always missing the multi-sensory experience the artist intended. Fifty years ago, the technology to sync light, motion, and sound seamlessly with the painting didn't exist. Today, it does. 

Through a comprehensive restoration and installation project coordinated by HDAE Project Manger, Paul Kouns, and supported by the University Center’s governance board and leadership, the mural is being elevated into the artist’s intended journey. The complete experience takes roughly 20 minutes, moving the viewer through a multi-sensory experience, evoking emotions through the coordination between sight and sound.  

Restoration and installation highlights include the following additions:

• Light: High-precision automated spotlights and smart linear track lighting dim the hallway and cast a moving bar of light across the painting, following the exact pace of the music at one inch per second.
• Sound: Specialized "audio spotlight" ceiling speakers frame the music so that it is heard richly by those sitting in front of the mural, without disturbing the rest of the building.
• Touch: Facing the mural, custom bronze plaques feature tactile embossed stories for the visually impaired, honoring the blind composer, alongside controls allowing visitors to play the full piece, or brief portions of the piece.
• Space: Retractable, fold-down seats ensure visitors can comfortably sit and experience the 20-minute piece without obstructing everyday hallway passage.

Revisiting his work 50 years later, David noted despite decades of experience, he wouldn't change a single choice he made as a 23-year-old student. His dedication to preserving this piece, even returning over the years to repair water damage and wear, reflects a deep love for the UCSB campus and community. McCutchen’s mural reminds us that art is patient, human creativity is enduring, and when given space to grow, a student project can become a lifelong legacy.