Education and Degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Arts
(I)Research Interests:
As one of the pioneers and founders of new media art, Professor Maurice Benayoun created the very first TV series in 3D Computer Graphics HD (Quarxs, 1991). His research focuses on urban space and urban media, artificial intelligence, robotics, museum and exhibition design, brain-computer interaction applied to neuro-design, virtual reality (VR, AR) and interactive art installations, etc. His major works include Quarxs, Value in Value, Brain Factory, The Tunnel under the Atlantic, WorldSkin, Cosmopolis, NoRIZON, etc.In recent research, he uses emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, NFT, and brain-computer interaction to create pioneering digital media works that transform human thoughts into physical objects and transform human values into Digital Assets, a critical exploration of contemporary social issues caused by mutations in media or technology.
(II) Courses Taught:
Courses for undergraduate students: From Contemporary Art to Media Art
(III) Award and Honor
Prof. Maurice Benayoun is selected by National Leading Talent Program, former Professor, director of the doctoral program in the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong. He has trained more than 60 PhD students (personally supervising 8 of them). He has served as an associate professor of information and communication sciences at the University of Paris 8, a professor and a distinguished artist at the National Academy of Fine Arts (ENSBA) in Paris, a tenured associate professor at the University of Paris 1, and the project leader of the bachelor's degree program in film and video. Hehas been invited to give more than 400 keynote speeches and lectures at top universities such as Columbia University, University of California, Cornell University, Duke University, Parsons School of Design, University of Toronto, Tsinghua University, Nanjing University, Central Academy of Fine Arts, and major art academic conferences such as ISEA and Siggraph.
As a pioneer, contemporary new media artist, curator and theorist, Prof. Maurice Benayounhas been awarded the Knight of the French Order of the Arts and Letters, and has won more than 30 accolades including the highest award and honors in related field such as Golden Nica (the highest award in the new media art), 1st Prize of ACM SIGGRAPH (the highest-level computer graphics conference), 1st Prize of Imagina (the highest-level European 3D Art and Creativity Festival) and so on. The art and research projects he has led as PI have received awards and financial support from different governments including the French state, the European Union, and the Hong Kong government.His works and exhibitions have been presented in numerous major venues (Pompidou Center Paris, Museums of Contemporary Art (MAC Montreal, KIASMA Helsinki, Moving Image and eyebeam (NYC), MOCA Taipei, MOCA, Seoul, Asia Society HK…).
(IV) Contacts
E-mail:m.benayoun@nju.edu.cn
