Ker Chen is a multimedia artist who signals through creating virtual worlds and producing live experiences. Ker explores myths, fortune-telling, and AI algorithms to capture data points from the future and validate the present. Concerned with the simulation of sensations by endogenous chemicals, Ker strives to find elements of control within the invisible and chaotic aspects of existence, looking inward to the body, outward to the surrounding environment, and beyond to the external world.
Artist Interview： ShoutOutLA , VoyageLA , CANVAS RBEL
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2024 Hunting, Official Selection for Happy Valley Animation Festival, PA, USA
2024 Ancestor (with Besomethingsoft and KĀ.), humanlab 4.0 , P61 Gallery , Berlin, German
2023 Contact Zone Level 1 (with Miriam Simun), ARE YOU FOR REAL? , IFA (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) , Online
2023 Mercedes VR (with Modesto Flako Jimenez), MAXlive Festival, NY, USA
2023 Gold Pylon (with Jade Charon) Fresh Tracks: New Works, New York Live Arts, NY, USA
2023 Gold Sphere (with Jade Charon), Reel Reflections, World Outreach Center, WI, USA
2023 Raft Of Ker, 2023 mowna Biennial, The Museum of Wild and Newfangled Art, online
2023 Hunting, Art Bei Ton, Zion, NY, USA
2023 Hunting, Ripple 涟, A Space & :iidrr Gallery, NY, USA
2023 Swim In Air, Wild Birds Present: One Year Ani Party, Brooklyn Art Haus, NY, USA
2022 Talking Head Ircam Forum, NewYork University, NY, USA
2022 Ancestor (with Besomethingsoft and KĀ.) Cyborg//HYPERMEAT, Grace Exhibition Space, NY, USA
2022 Raft Of Ker, 云雲云 x :iidrr 一蹴｜流体图像：Avatar GIF, Online
2022 A/V performance (with Cass Yao) ITP and Friends, Wonderville, New York, USA
2022 Spider A/V performance (with Sylvia Ke), IDM Spring Showcase, NewYork University, NY, USA
2017 Painting works, 葛集, ModernSkyLab, Beijing, China
2017 Rentured Exhibits (Shou Shou Group 抄手小组), 好奇柜 Cabinets of Curiosities, DuoYunXuan Art Center, Shanghai, China
SELECTED PROJECTS
2024 Theater Mitu’s Hybrid Arts Lab Fellowship
2023 Virtual Art Designer & Technologist of Gold Sphere (XR film)
Awards: Best Futurist Filmmaker at Cannes World Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival (US), The Outland Dance Project Festival (NJ), Knowbox Film Festival ( Mexico, Korea, and Texas), Vancouver Black Independent Film Festival (Canada)
2023 3D Artist, Editor, Volumetric & Motion Capture Technologist of Ride The Dice (360 VR music video)
Related Links: Buzz Music， Essentially Pop， Vents Magazine
2023 3D Designer & VR Creator of Mercedes VR (VR Experience)
Related Links: Princeton Lewis Center Arts， Media Art Xploration
2023 Visual Designer and Technician of Gold Pylon (Live Multimedia Performance)
Related Links: New York Live Arts Fresh Tracks 2022/23 Cohort, Fjord Review, The Dance Enthusiast, This Week in New York
2023 3D Artist and Programming of Contact Zone Level 1 (AI-driven animation)
Related Links: e-flux
2017 Initiator of Tattoo Van
Related Links: Vice China Documentary, Be Wild野心，travelling+, 优良Better，别的BieDe
2017 Curator of The Hidden Aura
Related Links： ELEPHOTO，Yanjie
EDUCATION
MS, Integrated Design and Media - NYU Tandon School of Engineering （Received Digital Media Awards）
BS, Economy Management for Agriculture and Forestry - Beijing Forestry University,
PROFESIONAL EXPERIENCE
3D Technical Artist
Local Projects - Aug 2023 - Sep 2023
• Worked on an interactive installation project addressing climate change, designing a sustainable future environment within Unreal Engine.
• Designed and created realistic tree growth assets using SpeedTree and foliage function within Unreal Engine
• Implemented interactive features using Vive controllers to engage users with the virtual cityscape and lush foliage, as well as painting the landscape.
3D Artist & XR Developer
ONX Studio - Jan 2023 - Sep 2023
• Collaborated with ONX Studio fellows to develop various creative projects in extended reality (XR). Such as Mercedez VR experience and Contact Zone Level 1, an infinitely changing computer-generated animation.
Technology Assistant
Eric Forman Studio - Dec 2022 - May 2023
• Developed prototypes in Touch Designer for an immersive interactive installation, incorporating real-time data from Kinect, 3D building, and projection mapping with Mamapper.
• Conducted tech research on depth cameras and documented the prototyping process and technical specifications.
Motion Capture Technician / Production Assistant
NYU Tandon School of Engineering - Jul 2022 - May 2023
• Hosted workshops on motion capture and live mocap with Optitrack System and avatar retargeting with Motion Builder
• Assisted in motion capture, green screen shooting, and A/V performance projects, with responsibilities including calibrating cameras, setting up sound and light, rigging, 3D scanning, and scheduling.
• Worked with artists to create virtual reality films using Unreal Engine, with responsibilities for virtual scene building, character design, 3D modeling in Blender, and animation.
• Produced live-streaming lectures and course videos for Tandon Online, responsibilities included studio lighting & sound, video production, and video post-production using Premier & After Effects.
Design / Social Media Freelance
Mar 2018 - Dec 2021
• Conducted research and coordinated production for Fender China’s Play Like Us interview series, experiments for Sonos’s Brilliant Sound Survey, and a Vice China-filmed tour of Chinese provinces exploring tattoo culture.
• Designed visual branding, including packaging, posters, calendars, and social media content.
• UI/UX and web design for various clients including nonprofit organizations and online shopping platforms.
A&R Coordinator / Account Executive
Merrie Records - Jun 2019 - Mar 2020 Beijing, China
• Curated showcases, guest speakers, and panel topics for The Pelican Music Academy.
• Account executive in the advertising department creating and managing social and PR campaigns.
• Wrote and edited content for a music magazine The Ultimate Guide For Beginners.
• Scouting of new musicians in China for the label.
• Copywriting and design for social media content for clients including Sonos and Fender.
Promoter / Event planner
Modern Sky Entertainment - Mar 2017 - May 2019 Beijing, China
• Curated and promoted Chinese tours for 10 international artists， including Sega Bodega, Catnapp, Dr.Motte
• Wrote press releases and articles about music festivals and music culture trends.
• Created digital content and was a contributing writer for ModernSky LAB’s social media.