Michael C. McMillen's Museum of Distraction transforms the Cal State Fullerton Main Art Gallery into a dimly-lit labyrinth of chambers through which the viewer navigates mysterious worlds made up of seven separate installations constructed from discards found in the streets and alleys of L.A. and augmented by carefully chosen sounds.

"Silent Film," created specifically for this exhibition, consists of a worn and deserted ticket window; weathered signs; an archaic film projector emitting a hum of mechanical noises and a silent film montage that the artist describes as "more like a half-recalled dream." Other installations include recreations of “The Witch of Draconis,” “A.C Crump, Proprietor” and “Hallway 509.” Combining elements of Hollywood stage sets and assemblage, McMillen's work invites the viewer to contemplate and participate in the discovery of his somewhat surreal and disconcerting environments.

This Southern California artist has been creating evocative architectural installations, both full-scale and miniature, since the 1970s. His work has been shown nationally and internationally and he is represented by L.A. Louver Gallery in Los Angeles.

A brochure, designed by the artist, documents the exhibition and includes images of each of the installations plus an essay by Philip Linhares, Chief Curator of the Oakland Museum of California. This publication is available for purchase during the exhibition.

Free

Marilyn Moore, Art Gallery office at 657-278-7750

Elizabeth Champion, College of the Arts at 657-278-2434