obx

Obx Labs is interested in living letterforms, massively multi-contributor texts and time-travelling provocateurs. We create artwork that utilizes and motivates the software that we develop and the technologies we repurpose. Our main goal is to provide both the inspiration and the means for others to push the boundaries of computationally-based expression.

Director

Jason E. Lewis

Jason E. Lewis

Director

www.thethoughtshop.com

Jason E. Lewis is Assistant Professor of Digital Image/Sound and the Fine Arts, Department of Design Art, Concordia University. He studied computer science (B.S. Symbolic Systems) and philosophy (B.A. German Studies) as a Stanford undergraduate, and received an M.Phil. in Design from the Royal College of Art. Lewis maintains a thriving art practice as well as a research practice, both of which are founded on computational approaches to digital media. His research interests include the history of visual language, novel software architectures and applications for interactive, dynamic and performative text and typography, computation as a creative material, interaction analysis, emergent media theory and history, and methodologies for conducting art-led technology research. His work has been featured at the Ars Electronica, SIGGRAPH, and UIST, among others, and funded by the English Arts Council, the Banff Centre for the Arts, Arts Alliance, and Hexagram.

He is currently a member of Hexagram’s Interactive Performance and Sound research axis. Prior to entering academia he spent over fifteen years in industry developing computational media technology at US West Advanced Technologies, the Institute for Research on Learning, and Interval Research. In 1999 he founded and subsequently directed for three years Arts Alliance Laboratory, an art-led technology research studio in San Francisco which won acclaim for its creative technology research program, a residencies program which invited visiting artists from around the world to San Francisco to develop their technologically-mediated projects, and a lecture series that broke new ground in bringing digital media artists together with an interdisciplinary set of commentators to provide feedback on works-on-progress. He currently resides in Montreal and San Francisco.

Research Associates

Skawennati

Skawennati

www.skawennati.net

Bruno Nadeau

Bruno Nadeau

brunonadeau.com

[M.S. Computer Science/Arts Computation Engineering]

Bruno graduated with a M.S. in Computer Science from the Arts Computation Engineering (ACE) program at UC Irvine, and received a B.Sc. in Computer Science with a concentration on Computation Arts at Concordia University in Montréal. During his studies, he created interactive installations that exploit and question the use of the body for human-computer interaction, leading to his current research which focuses on tangible computing.

Elie Zananiri

Elie Zananiri

www.silentlycrashing.net

[B.Sc. Computer Science/Computation Arts]

Elie Zananiri graduated from Concordia University with a major in Computer Science/Computation Arts and a minor in Mathematics & Statistics. His first passion is traditional stop-motion animation, but he can’t seem to stay away from computers and micro-controllers. His current research interests consist of combining all three domains through interactive video installations and unorthodox data visualizations.

His films have been screened in North America at various festivals such as Fantasia, Spasm, and TromaDance. His new media projects have been presented at the SoukMachines festival and Dorkbot-Montreal symposiums.

Elie currently works at Obx Labs as the lead developer on Citywide and NextText for Processing.

Morgan Kennedy

Morgan Kennedy

Morgan Kennedy is a digital games researcher, writer, and former volunteer firefighter. His research and writing focuses on the social and business aspects of the videogame industry. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Marketing at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachussetts and recently finished a Graduate Certificate in Digital Design at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. Currently he is a researcher at Obx Labs and coordinator for the new Technoculture, Art and Games initiative at Hexagram-Concordia.

David (Jhave) Johnston

David (Jhave) Johnston

[ PhD. Humanities ]

Web-curator and independent media-arts practitioner, involved in numerous collaborative and solo digital and in-situ art practises.

Focus: language-based online digital art. Combinatorial poetics, multimedia poetry. Currently, developing works that feature typographic experiments built through a synthesis of Flash, Mudbox, Vegas, Ableton Suite and Mr. Softie.

Working and exhibiting with, among others: FILE (2004-2009), Champ Libre, Bioteknica, Turbulence.org, Ollivier Dyens, OBX, TML and Oboro. Exhibited at 3 new media Biennales: Montreal ‘09 & ‘03 & Toronto ‘04.

2009. Doctoral candidate at Concordia University affiliated with OBX.
2007. SFU SIAT. MaSc in Interactive Arts program. “Emotion in Online Digital Poetry”
2004. Concordia University. Bachelor of Computer Science, minor in Digital Image and Sound.

Current home site is www.glia.ca .
Co-curates www.year01.com.

Research Assistants

Undergraduate

Bea Parsons

Bea Parsons

[B.F.A. Studio Arts]

“I am a Cree woman, born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I recently completed my BFA in Art Education at Concordia University, Montreal. I have been assisting with workshop preparations for the Skins Project for AbTeC, as well as production on TimeTraveller™, a machinima-based movie in Second Life!”

Angela Gabereau

Angela Gabereau

[B.Comp.Sci. Computational Arts]

Angela Gabereau is majoring in Computaional Arts and Computer Science at Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec. Her areas of interest include fine arts, aesthetic programming, AI, cognitive science, mathematics, philosophy, philosophy of science, feminism, feminist science studies, post-colonial theory, science fiction and gong-fu.

Cassandra Lacombe

Cassandra Lacombe

[B.F.A. Computation Arts]

I am a 3rd year student in the major of Computation Arts at Concordia University. I like to have a broad knowledge in many spheres of computer science and computation arts. As the media invades more and more our daily lives, I would like to ride the wave and be part of what the future will become. So far, I am still in the exploration of the possibilities that this field has to offer. Yet, I would like to take advantage of the interactive part of the new technologies. Thus, my goal would be to work in the video game industry.

Mohannad Al-Khatib

Mohannad Al-Khatib

www.psycho-designs.com

[B.F.A. Computation Arts]

Mohannad is in his final year of Computation Arts at Concordia University. His passion is 3D creature development. Over the past few years he has worked on a variety of gaming projects as a modeler, digital sculptor, and texture artist. Mohannad grew up in Saudi Arabia where Art is highly unappreciated; however, this fact allowed him to independently develop his own unique style which is visible throughout his work.

Nancy Elizabeth Townsend

Nancy Elizabeth Townsend

[B.F.A. Computation Arts]

Nancy Elizabeth Townsend is currently studying in her third year at Concordia as a Computation Arts major with a minor in Business Administration. She is a 3D artist (modeler and animator) who works in contracts ranging from experimental films to game modification. She has just recently joined the AbTec group as both a projectcoordinator and 3D modeler.

Walter Scott

Walter Scott

xlowjoyx.blogspot.com

[B.F.A. Studio Arts]

Attending Concordia for a B.F.A in Studio Arts, with a special interest in Print Media. I’m a research assistant specializing in the graphic design. In my free time I enjoy making posters for punk/psych shows, and watching TMZ.

Matthieu Tremblay

Matthieu Tremblay

[B.Sc. Computation Arts]

Matthieu Tremblay is a Computation Arts major in his third year. He has a background in software engineering and is a freelance web designer. His areas of interest include web programming, music, typography, photography, physical computing, installation art, and architecture. In his free time he reads science-fiction novels and likes to rock out in rhythm video games.

Chris Berthe

Chris Berthe

[B.F.A. Computation Arts]

Chris Berthe is a Computation Arts specialization student in his third year. He loves HTML/CSS, jQuery and Adobe Illustrator. He spends most of his days reading too much CNN.com, IMDB and design blogs. He is fond of Digitally Imported, Kanda sushi and real-life ninja turtles. “Hi mom/poppy.”

Graduate

Shyam Shanker

Shyam Shanker

[ M.A.Sc Electrical & Computer Engineering ]

Shyam is currently a Masters Student in Electrical & Computer Engineering at Concordia University, Montreal. His fields of interests are Robotics, Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Control Systems, Haptic devices and Embedded Systems. He has published 8 research papers in International Journals & Conference Proceedings and holds a patent for one of his works. He is also interested in Art works related to these fields. Shyam also volunteers at Montreal Association for Blinds(MAB Mackay Rehabilitation centre). He currently works as a Research Assistant in A-Lab, TAG LAB and OBX LAB as a programmer in Concordia University, Montreal.

Beth Aileen Lameman

Beth Aileen Lameman

www.bethaileen.com

[PhD. Interactive Arts and Technology]

Beth Aileen Lameman is an Irish, Anishinaabe, and Métis border-crossing writer and producer whose work addresses indigenous representations in media such as video games, films, and comic books. She is a candidate for the PhD in Interactive Arts and Technology at Simon Fraser University completing her dissertation on looking at traditional oral storytelling to inform the design of interactive media.

Miao Song

Miao Song

[ PhD in SIP(Special Individualized Program)- Computer Science,
Concordia University ]

Miao Song’s PhD research involves a mix of interactive environments, cinema and documentaries, 3D computer graphics and realistic physical based simulation, and haptic responsive environments.

Miao has completed her first Bachelor’s degree in Performance Arts and Direction in China. While in China, Ms. Song has worked in the Central Television Station as a TV director and journalist.

Miao got the second Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada, and her Master’s of Computer Science degree also at Concordia concentrated in interactive real-time
softbody simulation.

Miao worked on the design, planning, and development of a number of educational games with animation and video for primary school students while working at the Concordia University Native Access to Engineering Program (NAEP) and the Center for the Study of Learning and Performance (CSLP), also at Concordia.

Currently, Miao has been awarded FQRSC scholarship for her PhD study from year of 2009 to 2012. She also works as a teaching assistant at Concordia, and research assistant at Concordia and Mcgill University.

Alumni

Undergraduate

Yannick Assogba

Yannick Assogba

[B.Sc. Computer Science/Computation Arts]

Yannick Assogba is about to complete his BSc in Computer Science with a minor in Computation Arts at Concordia University. He is currently exploring the permeable interfaces between science and art, creativity and technologies of expression.
His interests include [inter]active art, electroacoustics, software development and the relationships between societies and technology.

Thierry Giles

Thierry Giles

www.thierrygiles.net

[B.F.A. Computation Arts]

Completing a bachelor in Computation Arts at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada and a one year project in Media Architecture at Bauhaus University in Weimar, Germany, Thierry Giles found his privileged medium of expression in interactive design and game development. His research emphasizes non-traditional applications of digital technologies through developing awareness of personal narratives exchange in networked societies. His recent realizations encompass mobile technology street games, multi-touch collaborative interface and place-based social exchange as the basis for creating knowledge transfer and weaving individual’s memory. His work has been published at ACM multimedia, ICHIM and E-culture.

Raed Mousa

Raed Mousa

www.raedmousa.com

[B.F.A. Computation Arts]

While completing his degree in Computational Arts at the University of Concordia, Raed was the designer for Obx Labs. His interest lies within the possibilities to cross the boundaries between uncommon media. Raed has a background in the classic arts of painting, drawing and sculpture, but also a passion for industrial, graphic and fashion design. Recent projects include “responsive furry creation” that emanate purring sounds or nervous actions, and grand performances involving food and human bonding. Raed enjoys exploring themes that relate to childhood, nostalgia, and human interaction through different societies and through growth. He is a gentle artist with a strong conviction, love and him, and he will love you.

Maroussia Lévesque

Maroussia Lévesque

www.elaborate.ca

[B.F.A. Computation Arts]

Maroussia was born with a built-in espresso addiction. She holds a BFA in Computation Arts from Concordia University. Her curriculum is oriented towards exploring new social configurations through technologies. She worked in grassroots organisations in Canada and Brazil and is motivated by the potential of subcultures as social emancipators. She is the recipient of the F. P. Higgins bursary, and won the first prize of Jeunes Critiques en Arts Visuels and the Computation Arts proze. Her work has been published in Le Devoir. She joined Obx studios in 2005, and is currently the conceptual lead. maroussia is learning her fifth language, and counting.

Lysanne Bellemare

Lysanne Bellemare

[B.F.A. Computation Arts]

A Montrealer with a love for Rock’nRoll, the German language and most importantly images wether they be moving or still. Her work includes drawing, graphic and Web design, computation, typography and bookmaking. In the fall of 2006 she will leave Canada for Germany a second time to study at the Bauhaus-Weimar Universität before returning to Montreal to finish a BFA at Concordia University.

Lucie Bélanger

Lucie Bélanger

[B.Sc. Computer Science/Computation Arts]

Lucie graduated from Computer Science at Concordia University. Her scientific education and her interest for computation arts brought her to experiment the blurry boundary between art and technology. Her main interest lies in exploring and experimenting the relations between humans and machines. Her work combines software and electronics into immersive installations, interactive video, interactive electronic sculptures and experimental interfaces. She started a Master’s degree at Université de Montréal in which she studies computer vision and its applications in immersive environments and interactive interfaces.

Hugues Bruyère

Hugues Bruyère

www.smallfly.com

[B.F.A. Computation Arts]

Hugues hybrid designer, programmer and technologist was born in Avignon, France. He holds an undergraduate degree in Electronic Technology and Industrial Computing from the University of Science in Montpellier, France. He has worked for several years as an application developer, print stream specialist and customer support manager for an ADF (Automated Document Factory) specialized company. Since the early 90s, he has been fascinated by digital media. In 2004, he left his job to immerse himself in his passion – graphic design and interaction design. Hugues is currently completing a BFA in Computation Arts at Concordia University, where he is exploring the medium of Technology. Hugues’ explorations into art and technology are pushing him to create media art projects involving data visualizations, computer vision, and human-computer-human interactions.

Jonathan Joseph

Jonathan Joseph

[ B.Sc. Computer Science/DFAR ]

Jonathan graduated from the double major in DFAR and Computer Science in 2003. His principal contribution to OBX Labs is the ActiveText code that allows combining soft-type behaviours together, which he programmed shortly after graduation. He is now employed as a lead programmer with video game developer Artificial Mind and Movement. His interests include language, mythical archetypes, human relationships, humor, and mysticism.

Elios Bidinost

Elios Bidinost

[ B.Sc. Computer Science/DFAR ]

Elio is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Computer Science with a Major in Digital Image and Sound from Concordia University. Elio has worked with New Media technologies since the mid 1990’s, he is now focused on the manipulation and analyzation of “sound” within the public space. In the Spring of 2004 Elio developed a prototype “Vigilare”, utilizing both artistic and computation concepts to address “sound” in the public space.

Katia Minarikova

Katia Minarikova

[ B.Sc. Computer Science/DFAR ]

Katia Minarikova is a digital enthusiast who wears pink eyeglasses and eats databases for breakfast. She founded Echo-Stream in 2002 followed by PixelWarehouse in 2004, both companies specializing in high end web technologies, multimedia design and business solutions for the commercial sector. Echo-Stream has received numerous awards and grants including the Excellence Certificat from the Quebec Entrepreneurship Contest, Montreal Mayor’s Foundation for Youth and SAJE. She is currently working as a programmer analyst for Montreal’s high profile production studio BlueSponge. In September, Katia is commencing her MBA at the HEC.

Michael Sheeman

Michael Sheeman

[ B.F.A. DFAR Specialization ]

Mike is currently completing his BA in the Digital Image & Sound Speciaization program at Concordia. His areas of intrest are focused in Type and Narrative, where each have been studied and re-interpreted from their traditional qualities into the digital medium. Respect to the traditional qualities of Art & Design, particularily the Modernist era, are influential in his aproach. Stylistic influences can be found in the contemporary arts of animation and graffitti. Prior to attending Concordia, Mike studied Technical Illustration & Animation at Seneca Arts College at York University Toronto.

Thahn Pham

Thahn Pham

[ B.Sc. Computer Science/DFAR ]

Thahn Pham is a 2004 graduate of Concordia’s Design Art program with a minor in Digital Image/Sound and the Fine Arts. She specializes in web and print design with a special interest for the visual arts and cultural industries. Thanh’s work has been exhibited at the Belgo Building (Lotus Eaters Art Gallery), the Concordia Visual Arts Gallery, and the S.A.T. In Sept. she is starting a second degree in Computer Science at Concordia.

Vivian Lim

Vivian Lim

[B.Sc Computer Engineering Co-op]

David Bouchard

David Bouchard

[ B.Sc. Computer Science/DFAR ]

David Bouchard is graduating from an intensive program in Computer Science with a focus on Digital Image, Sound and the Fine Arts. He is an emergent new media artist, having used his studies to develop and create a number of interactive works that use computation as a creative material. His interactive installation, The Dandelion Field, will go on exhibition this September at CAFKA 04 in Kitchener, Ontario.

Frank Tsonis

Frank Tsonis

[ B.F.A. DFAR Specialization ]

Born 1981. Live in Saudi Arabia until he was 14. Went to high School in Athens, Greece. Received a Specialization in Digital Image and Sound from Concordia University in Srping of 2004. Currently working, preparing for a masters degree in the Fall of 2004.

Brent Skagford

Brent Skagford

[ B.F.A. Design Art ]

Carlene Fragnito

Carlene Fragnito

[ B.F.A. Film Study ]

Hoda Adra

Hoda Adra

[ B.F.A. Computation Arts ]

Graduate

Agata Michalska

Agata Michalska

[ M.Graduate Certificate. Digital Technologies in Design Art ]

Computational artist, he is currently exploring the boundaries of the visual and textual. He graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelor in Computer Science, major in Digital Imaging & Sound of the Fine Arts. Starting in August 2004, he will be experiencing South-East Asia and considering the possibilities of a Master Degree.

Louis Goupil

Louis Goupil

[ M.Graduate Certificate. Digital Technologies in Design Art ]

Louis Goupille was born and raised on the island of Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean. A landscape artist, he studied literature and currently lives and works in Montreal. His practice has been centrally concerned with how memory and the imagination operate as components of the individual identity. His current work and research extends his practice into computer graphics and the interactive media in order to evoke representations of the natural landscape seen through a virtual lens.

Issu d’une famille établie dans les iles depuis plusieurs générations, Louis Goupille à passé son enfance à l’ile Maurice, dans l’Océan Indien. Il a fait des études littéraires et est peintre paysagiste à Montréal ou il vit et travaille actuellement. Ses sujets d’intérét courants sont: la mémoire, l’imaginaire et l’identité personnelle. Sa recherche et son travail explorent ces idées qui sont traitées au travers de la représentation de la nature avec des images graphiques dans un environnement virtuel.

Thibaut Duverneix

Thibaut Duverneix

www.raedmousa.com

[ M.Graduate Certificate. Digital Technologies in Design Art ]

Thibaut fait son entrée dans le monde de l’art comme musicien. De formation classique au conservatoire, il se dirige bientôt vers des horizons plus contemporains et électroacoustiques.

Titulaire d’un baccalauréat scientifique spécialisé en maths et en cinéma audiovisuel, il étudie ensuite l’informatique et la programmation en imagerie numérique à l’IUT de Clermont Ferrand en France.

En 2002, il rentre à l’Ecole Supérieure de l’Image à Poitiers, institution des beaux-arts axé e sur le développement des pratiques numériques dans l’art contemporain.
Il obtient son DNAP (diplôme national d’art plastique) communication en 2005 avec les félicitations du jury.

Son travail est basé sur une pratique très large, allant de la photo au développement d’applications interactives, en passant par la vidéo, la composition électroacoustique ou encore des œuvres en lignes.

Diplômé en 2006 du Graduate Certificate: Digital Technologies in Design Art Practice à l’université Concordia, il est actuellement assistant de recherches en charge de la réalisation audio, photo et vidéo pour les studios MDCN et OBX, au sein de l’Institut de recherche Hexagram.

Meredith Davey

Meredith Davey

[ Graduate Certficate, Design ]

Meredith Davey holds a BSc(hons) in Physics form the University of Bristol (UK). After initial training in the sciences he worked for 3 years for an innovative and world renowned firm of building services engineers in London, UK. As an engineer he developed the creative designs for many projects throughout the world, including Europe, Australia and North America. He specialized in sustainable design and environmental engineering and has been involved in projects to a total value of approximately $700m (CAN) worldwide.

Farah Jamaluddin

Farah Jamaluddin

[ Graduate Certificate, Design Art ]

Justyna Latek

Justyna Latek

[ Graduate Certificate, Design Art ]

John Stuart

John Stuart

[ Graduate Certificate, Design Art ]

Rozita Nagshin

Rozita Nagshin

[ Ph.D. Computer Science ]

Staff

Alexander Taler

Alexander Taler

Software Development Manager

Alex is a professional software developer. After graduating from McGill University with two degrees in 1997, he quickly found that he enjoyed the challenges of industry. He started his career in the area of calendaring, participating in the IETF Calendaring and Scheduling working group, and authoring RFC 3283 for that group. He then moved into the security / privacy space, where he worked at Zero-Knowledge Systems a major player in the emerging internet privacy market. He is also a supporter of the free software movement, having founded the LibCVS project. Alex has been careful not to lose touch with the academic world, and has attended classes throughout the years, and is happy to bring back what he has learned in the industry to academic pursuits.