What happens when democracy is treated as a design challenge?

Harvey Mudd College engineering students answer that question in “The Game of Democracy: Art, Engineering, Chance, Choice, and Civic Life” on view now through Friday, July 31 at Sprague Gallery exhibition, 320 E. Foothill Blvd., Claremont.

The exhibit comes ahead of the 250th birthday of the United States and explore topics such as equal representation and civic agency. Featured works, also called interactive “Devices of Democracy,” come from Leilani Elkaslasy, Sara Wexler, Marika Ragnartz, Roman De Santos, Amanda Kitrell, Jack Van der Reis, Ben Simpson, Cameron Hernandez, Miranda Brandt, Theo Rode, Felix Peng, and Joshua Heinstein. Also featured is Taryn Simon’s “Kleroterion,” a Greek device on loan from the Almine Rech Gallery that was used to name citizens to public offices or juries at random.

“Higher education leaders are in deep conversation about our role and responsibility in this democracy project, and how we might best honor it as the nation’s semiquincentennial approaches,” wrote HMC President Harriet Nembhard in a news release. “This exhibition offers a timely reflection from our students on how art and STEM can help reimagine democratic ideas for the future.”

Sprague Gallery is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission. Additional info is at hmc.edu/game-of-democracy.