CIANT is a not-for-profit organization established in Prague (Czech Republic) in 1998. It is oriented towards transdisciplinary exploration of ART@SCIENCE domain in context of new media technologies. International collaboration of artists, scientists and technology experts is essential for its projects based in research, production and presentation activities.
CIANT focuses systematically on artistic experimentation in new and emerging technologies with explicit reference to research and development issues, and efficiently cooperates with individuals as well as institutions in various (from cultural to scientific) fields.
CIANT conducts experimental research in Virtual and Mixed Reality area with focus on real-time interactive installations, intelligent interfaces for distributed environments on the Internet, new creative and collaborative tools for artists, media streaming, open-source systems, artificial intelligence and avatar technologies.
CIANT is partly responsible for both scientific and artistic research related to the definition, development, testing, and exploitation of the ALTERNE platform.
Our main contribution is in the following fields:
- Methodological direction of artistic experimentation with aim to test adaptability and viability of the ALTERNE platform
- Indication of system elements and layers supporting advanced use of Mixed Reality techniques
- Modelling of the visual content (virtual objects, avatars)
- Experiments with scenarios for the virtual storytelling
- Expression of artistic concepts involving reversible patterns of interaction
- Demonstration of flexibility of new authoring tools at work within the implementation of one ALTERNE prototype installation
- Dissemination of skills and knowledge in the area of education
- Exploitation linked to the public events
CIANT bridges scientific and artistic communities while challenging the research and development issues with actual demands of end users ranging from creators (artists and students of art schools) to audience
Key Personel
Pavel Smetana Director of CIANT (smetana@ciant.cz)
- professor of VR-3D-Artificial Life at École Superieure des Beaux Arts in Aix en Provence
- artist and researcher in the field of virtual reality, mixed reality, interface technologies
- expert in multimedia domain
- evaluator in MEDIA Plus programme (2003)
- advisor in New Technology and Arts at Council of Europe
- lecturer
- artistic director of ENTERmultimediale festival (2000)
- author of video and computer installations
- "The Mirror" (1998-2000)
- "Laser in Prague" (2000)
- "Room of Desires" (1993-97)
- "Leipzig 20.11.1989" (1996)
- "Imaginary Hotel" (1996)
- "Library of Smells" (1995)
- artist in residence in CICV (1997-1998)
- research grant in ZKM (1995-1996)
- awarded number of artistic prizes
- UNESCO prize (1996)
- Grand Prix de Locarno (1996)
- degree in Technical Cybernetics at Czech Technical University, The Faculty of Electrical Engineering (1994)
- long time experiences in the area of digital video production and computer graphics
- graphics designer (spots, trailers) for Czech TV (1994-1998), SFX supervisor and Discreet Inferno operator in Universal Production & Partners, Head of Graphics department in Czech TV (2000-2002)
- testing and reviewing technologiesfor graphics design and video, regular contribution to Pixel magazine (1999-2001 Editor of Pixel PRO), Chip magazine since 1996, member of ABEX society (Associated Broadcast Experts)
- independent film and video production skills
- music videos, short films, special effects creation
- live video performances
- live video mixing for contemporary classical and alternative music and dancing performance since 1998, collaboration with music composers
- programmer and educator
- PhD student at Czech Technical University, The Faculty of Electrical Engineering
- programmer
- degree from Czech Technical University, The Faculty of Electrical Engineering
Bohuš Získal Technical Director of CIANT (ziskal@ciant.cz )
Engineer ISEP (Institut Supérieur d'Electronique de Paris)
Michal Máša (michal@ciant.cz)
Jaroslav Adamec (jarda@ciant.cz)
