D. Pillis
Summary:
Artist, educator, and creative technologist Daniel Gene Pillis (he/him/they/them) is a specialist in extended reality. Their research interests are centered on the function of simulation and representation in human culture.
Education:
2016
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Master of Fine Arts, focusing on Virtual Reality & Robotics, School of Fine Arts
Full Tuition Scholarship, 2014–2015 (Competitive University-Wide Fellowship)
Thesis Title: “Experiments in Simulating the Human Experience”
Thesis Panel:
Dr. Ivan E. Sutherland, Ph.D., University of Portland, Oregon
Dr. Christopher Atkeson, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon
Dr. Jessica Hodgins, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon
2011
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Bachelor of Arts, triple major in Visual Art, Literature & Psychology
Full Tuition Scholarship, 2010–2011, Dean's List, 2009-2011
Faculty Advisors:
Dr. Henry Turner, Professor Of English, Vice President For Academic Initiatives
Rutgers University, Department of English
Ardele Lister, Chair of Moving Image Division, Mason Gross School of Art,
Rutgers University
Positions:
2021- Current
Research Associate, MIT Media Lab
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Researcher in Hiroshi Ishii’s Tangible Media Group
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Develop novel interactive mediums for tangible user experiences
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Draft and collaborate on research articles, group philosophy, research goals
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Develop AR/VR and interactive simulations to assist in ideating with tangible input technologies
2020–2021
Associate Professional Specialist/Visiting Instructor
Princeton University
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Virtual reality specialist, developing and assisting instruction for remote courses on art & technology; including creative coding, 3D animation, robotics programming, and VR/AR/MR project development workflows
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Developed virtual learning environments for Zoom based courses, including a virtual simulation of the Princeton Art Museum, as well as 360° streaming video of remote dance performances and in-class technology demonstrations
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Managed and prepared technology kits for course support, including “Immersive Media Kits”, mini-PC’s outfitted to support advanced Unity development, XR research, and motion tracking using Realsense Depth Cameras
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Collaborated with the Princeton LGBT center for an augmented reality “Drag Cabaret”, using Snap software; Lens Studio, to instruct students on creating augmented reality avatars for an event focused on Diversity & Inclusion initiatives
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Invited and coordinated course visitors, including Dr. Alvy Ray Smith, co-founder of Pixar and Industrial Light and Magic
2018–2020
Research Assistant Professor in Immersive Environments
The Institute for Creativity, Art, and Technology, Virginia Tech
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Grant-funded researcher and creative technologist responsible for leading collaborations between faculty across art, engineering, and the sciences
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Project lead in one-of-a-kind $15M immersive environment facility, “The Cube”, a VR research lab equipped with 150 spatially located audio speakers, 32 Qualisys motion capture cameras, and immersive 360° video projection environments
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Hardware expert and consultant for VR/AR technology, including Oculus Rift, Quest, HTC Vive, & Hololens, as well as multimedia workflows for immersive video projection mapping
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Instructed Honors courses on Unity development, open to all majors, incorporating animation, motion capture, VR/MR/AR and experimental projection mapping for storytelling or industrial prototyping
2018–Present
SIGGRAPH Diversity & Inclusivity Committee
ACM SIGGRAPH International Conference
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Collaborate with industry peers to cultivate diversity, equity and inclusivity in computer graphics and interactive technology
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Plan panels, presentations and conference content, engaging audiences in issues relating to gender theory, critical race theory, queer studies, intersectionality, disability studies and related topics
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Host and contribute to annual “Diversity & Inclusion Summits”, encouraging conversations about best practices for cultivating inclusive cultures in the XR, VR, animation, interactive graphics and CGI industries
2018
Robotics Education Consultant
Gujarat Science Center, Ahmedabad, India
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Visiting consultant for Robotics Museum in development at the Gujarat Science Center
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Collaborated with design firms, officials from the India Government, and robotics programmers for interactive exhibit design
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Consulted on the development and creation of robotics/science exhibits
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Directed and oversaw project development of VR and AR prototypes for exhibit prototypes
2018
Researcher-in-Residence
Innovation Media Research Center, University of Maine
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Presented demos for a course titled Artificial Intelligence and Art, co-taught with Dr. Sofian Audry, using SoftBank's “Nao” Robot and the Oculus Rift
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Presented lectures on creating interactive Unity applications with ARKit for IOS applications
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Visited and consulted graduate students, and consulted on the development of a Virtual Reality Lab in development
2016–18
Research Associate, The Robotics Institute
School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University
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Artist-in-Residence in Dr. Christopher Atkeson’s soft robotics laboratory
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Developed interactive robotics virtual reality projects for HTC Vive
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Archived and organized robotics collection using new media techniques
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Managed “Robot Museum”, a physical collection of robots
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Created video tutorials and animations for programming and robotics education
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Proposal accepted for presentation of an overview of our work at iRos Robotics conference, Vancouver B.C.
2017-
Ongoing Virtual Reality Developer
Federico Solmi Studio, New York, NY
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Ongoing freelancer for Unity-based virtual reality art installations and exhibitions
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Developed virtual reality experience exhibited at Ars Electronica and Frankfurt Music Hall
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Created interactive environment in Unity, custom rigged VR hands, animated shaders, implemented 3D spatial audio
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Collaborated with agile development methodology and SCRUM workflow in high-end studio production environment
2016
Virtual Reality Consultant
Artsy, New York, NY
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Assisted in project development for a collaboration between Gucci & Facebook for an event in a projection-mapped dome during Art Basel, Miami
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Responsible for converting 3D video artworks into interactive Facebook 360° experiences, collaborated with artists Jon Rafman, Jacolby Satterwhite and Rachel Rossin
2016
Theatre Assistant Technician
The Wooster Group, Performing Garage, New York, NY
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Assisted the artist Deville Cohen during a residency to develop a new multimedia theatrical work, Flatland
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Developed video projection mapping timings with Isadora software and Max MSP
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Collaborated with Cohen to ensure that visual, animated, audio and performance elements functioned with custom kinetic sculptures and stage design
2015-16
Curatorial Fellow
Posner Center Rare Book Collection, Carnegie Mellon University, PA
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Collaborated with noted computer scientist Ivan Sutherland to tell the story of the invention of the first virtual reality headset, coded and developed VR application
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Developed digital humanities research overlapping the fields of computer science, computer graphics and automata
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Curated large scale exhibit with rare books, robotics, and embedded interactive virtual reality experience, printed images, text, edited and designed documents
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Coordinated invited lectures of Boston Dynamic’s Marc Raibert and Dr. Ivan Sutherland, jointly hosted by the School of Art and the Robotics Institute
2013-16
Graduate Research Assistant
School of Art/School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, PA
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Learned and developed workflows with new technologies to assist faculty with projects
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Instructed on the use of motion capture facilities, capture, rigging and re-targeting motion capture data
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Taught storyboarding, video editing, 3D modeling and Maya, Blender and ZBrush animation workflows
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Aided in students development of advanced technical skills, like cloth simulations, render layers & character rigging, as well as smoke, fire, and physics simulations
2015
Gallery Educator
David Zwirner Gallery, New York, NY
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Education and outreach for exhibition on “Light and Space” artist De Wain Valentine
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Discuss and present on works to the public including collectors, visiting researchers and critics
2014
Artist’s Assistant
Skowhegan Residency, Maine
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Provided technical and administrative support for artist Thomas Lanigan-Schmidt, following his 2013 Museum of Modern Art retrospective
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Managed correspondence as artist’s representative to plan visiting lectures, museum exhibitions, and gallery exhibitions
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Traveled with artist for two weeks to Skowhegan, Maine, orchestrated daily agenda, studio visits, public lecture and events
2011-13
Digital Archivist
Elizabeth Dee Gallery, New York, NY
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Technical manager for all exhibits, hardware, software and technology infrastructure for digital media based fine arts exhibits
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Designed and edited HTML/CSS for Wordpress CMS
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Organized and maintained media database of image portfolios
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Produced high-resolution photography of artworks and exhibition documentation
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Developed Sketchup models, 3D diagrams and interactive mockups of exhibitions
2007-11
Research Assistant, Medical Decision Making Laboratory
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
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Conducted research using a program for simulation vaccination research applying game theory-based scenarios to decision making
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Compiled user feedback data for analysis, developed surveys and metrics
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Contributed to research literature and supported faculty as needed
Courses Taught:
2021-22
XR Courses, Spring 2022, UCLA Extension Center for Immersive Media
2020-21
Transformations in Engineering & the Arts, Spring 2021, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Technology & Storytelling for Performance, (Assisted), Fall 2020, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
2019
UH 3004: Immersive Virtual Environments for Art, Data, and Research, Virginia Tech, Honors College, Blacksburg, VA
2018
UH 3004: Immersive Virtual Environments for Art, Data, and Research, Virginia Tech, Honors College, Blacksburg, VA
2016
Animation, Art & Technology, Spring 2016, Teaching Assistant, Dr, Jessica Hodgins & James Duesing, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
2015
Technical Character Animation, Fall 2015, Teaching Assistant, Assistant Prof. Spencer Diaz, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
2014
Experimental Animation, Spring 2014, Teaching Assistant, Professor Jessica Hodgins (C.S.), Professor James Duesing (Art), Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Foundations Concept Studio; Space and Time, Fall 2014, Teaching Assistant, Visiting Prof. Jonathan Armistead, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
2013
Electronic Media Studio: Animation & Video, Spring 2014, Teaching Assistant, Prof. Paolo Pederecini, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Technical Qualifications:
Software
Unity Depthkit Substance Designer ZBrush Lens Studio Len
Maya Autodesk Software Blender Unreal Adobe Suite
Hardware
Hololens Oculus Quest 1&2 HTC Vive Magic Leap
Kinect Azure Microcomputers 3D Printing Leap Motion
General Skills
Windows 10 Mac OS Ubuntu Computer Programming
Project Planning Asset Management Computer Vision Networking
Lectures, Presentations & Academic Service:
2021
Invited Speaker, High-Performance Graphics Conference, DEI Panel Discussion Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Volunteer, SIGGRAPH 2021
SIGGRAPH LGBTQ+ Meetup, “Augmented Reality Drag Show” using AR via Zoom (Event), ACM SIGGRAPH International Conference
Invited Speaker, Princeton ResInDe Virtual Conference, IDEA- Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility, Princeton University
2020
Living at the Intersection Symposium (LIS), Princeton University, Animation Collaboration with musician Bora Yoon
2019
Visiting Lecture, UCLA Digital Media Arts, Summer Course, invited by Miles Peyton
Visiting Lecture, Imitation of Life, Virtual Reality Workshop, Cooper Union, New York, NY
Invited Lecture, Gender Representation in Computer Graphics, SIGGRAPH Asia, Brisbane, Australia
Panel member & organizer, Rendering Gender, with Jacob Gaboury, Bo Ruberg, Siggraph Conference, Los Angeles, CA
2018
Organizer, Diversity and Inclusion Summit, Siggraph Conference, Vancouver, BC
Founder, “Others” in Computer Graphics, Siggraph Conference, Vancouver, BC
Invited Lecture, Robotics and the History of the Humanoid, Lecture, University of Maine IMRC, Orono, MN
Invited Lecture, Introduction to Augmented Reality using ARKit, Workshop, University of Maine IMRC, Orono, MN
Visiting Lecturer, Artificial Intelligence and Art, with Prof. Sofian Audry, University of Maine IMRC,
Orono, MN
2017
Invited Lecture, Towards an Artist in the Lab Framework, iRos Robotics Conference, Workshop, Vancouver, BC
Science Educator, with Dr. Chris Atkeson, Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA
Visiting Lecturer, Figure Drawing for Humanoid Robots, Columbia University School of the Arts, New York, NY
Visiting Critic, Physical Computing, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
2016
Visiting Critic, Senior Studio, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Visiting Lecturer, Six X Eight Artist Lecture Series, Silver Eye Center for Photography, Pittsburgh
2015
Committee Member, Open Engagement, Public Arts Project Selection, Pittsburgh, PA
Undergraduate Review Committee, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Selected Projects and Exhibitions:
2021
Jone of the City, Urban Augmented Reality Theatre Project (freelance consultant, in development)
Blind Man Running Through the Light of the Night, Virtual Reality Documentary (in production)
2020
Virtual Princeton Art Museum Exhibit, online virtual experience of Princeton University Art
Collections
Federico Solmi: The Bacchanalian Ones, Rowan University, NJ (Freelance VR Developer)
2019
Boo Box: VR installation, New Orleans Film Festival, Cinema Reset VR Exhibit, curated by Rachel
Lin Weaver, New Orleans, LA
Index Art Center, New & Improved, Group Exhibit curated by Sophie Sobers, Newark, NJ
Dancing Plants, Science Festival, The Institute for Creativity, Art, and Technology, Virginia Tech,
Blacksburg VA
Visual Language of Chromatin Architecture, ICAT Day, The Institute for Creativity, Art, and Technology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg VA
Curator, Open at the Source, Exhibit on the intersection between Art & Science, The
Institute for Creativity, Art, and Technology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg VA
2018
History of Computer Graphics, Interactive Animation, SIGGRAPH Art Gallery, Vancouver, Canada
The Blue Plate, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA
Mainframe, Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC
2017
Robot Museum, Interstate Projects, Brooklyn, NY
Et Tu, Art Brute? Andrew Edlin Gallery, New York, NY
2016
Grandmother’s House, Space Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
Virtual Newell/Simon Simulation, Miller Gallery, Carnegie Mellon MFA Thesis Show,
Pittsburgh, PA
Ivan Sutherland’s Trojan Cockroach, Posner Center, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
2015
Grandmother’s House, Little Berlin, Philadelphia, PA
An Evening with Cara Benedetto, Performance, Museum of Contemporary Art,
Cleveland, OH
The Blue Plate: History of Computer Graphics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Intergalactic Immigration Office, curated by Jen Delos Reyes, Open Engagement 2015, Pittsburgh
2014
Andy Warhola’s Living Room, The Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, PA
City of Lost Men, Kresge Theatre, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
2013
Grandmothers House, 4022 Woolslayer Way, Pittsburgh, PA
Digital Archive 2011-2013, curated by Rebecca Jampol, Gateway Projects, Newark Penn Station, Newark, NJ
2012
Queer Profiles in Courage, curated by Christopher Mitchell, Leslie/Lohman Museum of Gay & Lesbian Art, NY, NY
2010
Mix23 NYC Experimental LGBTQ Film Festival, Theatre for the New City, NY, NY
2009
Last Days of the Iron Maiden, Gallery Aferro, Newark, NJ
Mason Gross BFA, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
One City, Jajo Gallery, Newark, NJ
Multiformity: The Art of Disease curated by Deana Haggag, Jajo Gallery, Newark, NJ
Residencies:
2021
Media Archaeology Lab, University of Colorado at Boulder (Forthcoming)
2018
University of Maine, Innovative Media, Research and Commercialization Center
Researcher in Residence, Orono, ME
2017
Interstate Projects, Brooklyn, NYC, NY
2016
The Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA
Selected Bibliography:
2021
Pittsburgh City Paper, CMU launches Project showcasing the History of Robotics at the University,
by Lauryn Nania.
NEXTPittsburgh, Robotics Project traces the roots of today’s robots to CMU, by Michael Machosky
Ground Truth, Carnegie Mellon University Launches The Robotics Project to Preserve and Promote the Field’s Legacy, by GT Staff.
TribLive, Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Project aims to preserve History of Robotics with large-scale Archive, by Julia Felton.
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, From trading cards to 'cannibilized' robotic parts, CMU embarks on a mission to archive the Robotics Field, by Lauren Rosenblatt.
2020
Virginia Tech News, The Sound of Plants Dancing, Max Esterhuizen.
The Virginian Pilot, Virginia researchers are studying ‘the sound of plants dancing’ to better the future of agriculture, By Katherine Hafner
2017
Vice, Creators Project, An Artist built an exact replica of Artificial Intelligence’s Birthplace, by Sean Neumann.
Digital Trends, Artist re-creates the birthplace of Artificial Intelligence, by Dyllan Furness.
2016
Atlas Obscura, Where Should Robots Go When They Retire?, by Sarah Laskow.
iProgrammer, Sutherland’s Trojan Cockroach On Show, by David Conrad.
2015
Pittsburgh City Paper, The Year in Visual Art by Robert Raczka.
2014
The Warhol Blog, Andy Warhola’s Living Room
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Grandma's belongings live as art installation in Lawrenceville, by Donna Nelson-Jones.
Grants and Scholarships:
2018
ICAT Major SEAD Grant, Dancing Plants, Virginia Tech
ICAT Sead Grant, Visual Language of Chromatin Architecture, Virginia Tech
Steelcase Education Grant, Virginia Tech
2017
Robotics Artist-in-Residence Grant, Carnegie Mellon University
2016
Innovation with Impact, Graduate Research Grant, Carnegie Mellon University
Rembacher Chamber Music Award, Carnegie Mellon University
2015
Studio for Creative Inquiry Grant, Carnegie Mellon University
2013
Full Tuition Merit Based Scholarship, Carnegie Mellon University
2010
Public Art Scholarship, Rutgers University
Professional Affiliations:
Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, SIGGRAPH
Association for Computing Machinery