PORTFOLIO (2)
BIO
Tamiko Thiel is a media artist currently focusing on developing the dramatic and narrative capabilities of interactive 3D virtual reality as a medium for addressing social and cultural issues.
She received her B.S. in 1979 from Stanford University in Product Design Engineering with a focus on human factors design. Her M.S. was in Mechanical Engineering in 1983 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she studied human-machine design at the Biomechanics Lab and computer graphics at the precursors to the Media Lab. She then studied studio art at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, Germany, where she received a Diploma in Applied Graphics in 1991, specializing in video installation art.
She considers her first major art work to be the packing design she did for the CM-1 (1986) and CM-2 (1987) Connection Machine parallel supercomputers at Thinking Machines Corporation. Since then she has been exhibiting internationally in venues such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, Siggraph, and the ICA/London.
Thiel was creative director and producer of Starbright World, an award-winning 3D online virtual playspace for seriously ill children done in collaboration with film director Steven Spielberg. Her VR installation "Beyond Manzanar" is in the permanent collection of the San Jose Museum of Art in Silicon Valley, California. The work is discussed in Whitney Museum media art curator Christiane Paul’s reference work "Digital Art" and in Boston University Professor Matthew Smith’s book "The Total Work of Art: From Bayreuth to Cyberspace."
Her VR installation "The Travels of Mariko Horo" was supported in 2003 by a Japan Foundation Fellowship and a residency at the Kyoto Art Center, and in 2004 by a Research Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Visual Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA. In 2006 Thiel was awarded the "Junge Kunst/Neue Medien" prize of the City of Munich to produce a specially commissioned dance performance using "The Travels of Mariko Horo" as a realtime interactive stage set. This work premiered at the Dance2006 Festival of Contemporary Dance under the name "In the Land of Babari-an."
In 2006 she was awarded a major grant from the Hauptstadtkulturfonds of the German government to create a new VR installation on the Berlin Wall, "Virtuelle Mauer/ReConstructing the Wall." The work premiered in 2008 at the Museum for Communication in Berlin, and toured Europe, the USA and India in 2009 for the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. It won the Grand Prize of the IBM Innovation Award for Art and Technology at the 2009 Boston Cyberarts Festival.
She has taught and lectured internationally at institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University, the MIT Media Lab, the Bauhaus-University in Weimar, Germany, UC/San Diego, the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television and the School of Film and Television in Babelsberg, Germany.
She received her B.S. in 1979 from Stanford University in Product Design Engineering with a focus on human factors design. Her M.S. was in Mechanical Engineering in 1983 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she studied human-machine design at the Biomechanics Lab and computer graphics at the precursors to the Media Lab. She then studied studio art at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, Germany, where she received a Diploma in Applied Graphics in 1991, specializing in video installation art.
She considers her first major art work to be the packing design she did for the CM-1 (1986) and CM-2 (1987) Connection Machine parallel supercomputers at Thinking Machines Corporation. Since then she has been exhibiting internationally in venues such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, Siggraph, and the ICA/London.
Thiel was creative director and producer of Starbright World, an award-winning 3D online virtual playspace for seriously ill children done in collaboration with film director Steven Spielberg. Her VR installation "Beyond Manzanar" is in the permanent collection of the San Jose Museum of Art in Silicon Valley, California. The work is discussed in Whitney Museum media art curator Christiane Paul’s reference work "Digital Art" and in Boston University Professor Matthew Smith’s book "The Total Work of Art: From Bayreuth to Cyberspace."
Her VR installation "The Travels of Mariko Horo" was supported in 2003 by a Japan Foundation Fellowship and a residency at the Kyoto Art Center, and in 2004 by a Research Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Visual Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA. In 2006 Thiel was awarded the "Junge Kunst/Neue Medien" prize of the City of Munich to produce a specially commissioned dance performance using "The Travels of Mariko Horo" as a realtime interactive stage set. This work premiered at the Dance2006 Festival of Contemporary Dance under the name "In the Land of Babari-an."
In 2006 she was awarded a major grant from the Hauptstadtkulturfonds of the German government to create a new VR installation on the Berlin Wall, "Virtuelle Mauer/ReConstructing the Wall." The work premiered in 2008 at the Museum for Communication in Berlin, and toured Europe, the USA and India in 2009 for the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. It won the Grand Prize of the IBM Innovation Award for Art and Technology at the 2009 Boston Cyberarts Festival.
She has taught and lectured internationally at institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University, the MIT Media Lab, the Bauhaus-University in Weimar, Germany, UC/San Diego, the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television and the School of Film and Television in Babelsberg, Germany.
REMINDER: Beyond Manzanar exhibit and artist's talk this week
Come by and see Beyond Manzanar on the "immersive" big screen, it's a
different experience from seeing it on a smaller one! The artist's talk
and reception is this Wednesday evening. - Tamiko
----
The MIT Center for Advanced Visual Studies (CAVS) presents:
BEYOND MANZANAR
An American internment camp: Between fears and realities.
A 3D interactive virtual reality art installation
by Tamiko Thiel & Zara Houshmand (2000)
Exhibition dates:
April 26
different experience from seeing it on a smaller one! The artist's talk
and reception is this Wednesday evening. - Tamiko
----
The MIT Center for Advanced Visual Studies (CAVS) presents:
BEYOND MANZANAR
An American internment camp: Between fears and realities.
A 3D interactive virtual reality art installation
by Tamiko Thiel & Zara Houshmand (2000)
Exhibition dates:
April 26
MIT's CAVS presents: Beyond Manzanar VR installation
The MIT Center for Advanced Visual Studies (CAVS) presents:
BEYOND MANZANAR
An American internment camp: Between fears and realities.
A 3D interactive virtual reality art installation
by Tamiko Thiel & Zara Houshmand (2000)
Exhibition dates:
April 26
BEYOND MANZANAR
An American internment camp: Between fears and realities.
A 3D interactive virtual reality art installation
by Tamiko Thiel & Zara Houshmand (2000)
Exhibition dates:
April 26
so what does it take?
Hi Rachel -
So what does it take to get an event in the Rhizome digest?
I sent a notice, included below for your reference, to list@rhizome.org
as per the instructions at the bottom of each digest. It never appeared
in Rhizome, which puzzles me because I expected it to be of interest to
the Rhizome readership for its political, topical and new media content.
What was the reason for rejecting it? Are only specific people allowed
to submit event notices?
The event was last week so the notice is no longer relevant, but I would
like to know what it takes to get a notice into Rhizome for future
reference. Friends of mine have also told me that they have submitted
notices of new media art events which were never included in the digest
either.
- tamiko thiel
Copy:
To celebrate the acquisition of the Beyond Manzanar virtual reality
installation by the San Jose Museum of Art I am pleased to announce a
panel discussion dealing with infringements of civil rights during the
Japanese American Internment in WW2, the Iranian Hostage Crisis in
1979-'80 and the post 9-11 crisis.
Yours, Tamiko Thiel
---------------------------------------------------------------------
San Jose Museum of Art and ZeroOne: The Art and Technology Network
invite you to a Special Sunday Afternoon Discussion.
BEYOND MANZANAR
Sunday, November 3, 2002 at 3 p.m.
San Jose Museum of Art
110 South Market Street
San Jose, California, USA
Admission: FREE
R.S.V.P. email to michela@groundzero.org
Light refreshments will be served
Special thanks to Tengu Shushi
The virtual reality artwork "Beyond Manzanar" has recently been acquired
by the San Jose Museum of Art. This presentation celebrates the Museum
opening of installation and with the panelists and artists
-- Tamiko Thiel and Zara Houshmand -- explores historical and legal
raised by the artwork.
This art piece dramatically casts guests in the unwitting roles of
internees inside the Manzanar, California Internment Camp and juxtaposes
this experience against the subsequent mistreatment of Iranian-Americans
during the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979-80. More information at:
http://mission.base.com/manzanar/
Now, following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon, a similar situation exists. The afternoon's presentation will
explore the issues and corollaries of all three situations.
The museum sopen at 11:00 - visitors may experience the "Beyond
Manzanar" installation before the presentation. (The piece will be on
exhibit for around 6 months. Entry to the museum is free at all times.)
PRESENTERS/PANELISTS:
Tamiko Thiel, Japanese American new media artist and engineer
interested in investigating new forms of narrative structure and in
developing socially and culturally meaningful uses of virtual reality.
Zara Houshmand, Iranian American writer, theater director, and
multimedia artist whose work focuses on cross-cultural issues. She was
involved in pioneering the development of virtual reality on the
Internet.
Dave Tatsuno, interned at the Topaz camp in Utah during World War II,
will show scenes from his haunting movie of the camp, "Topaz", which
forms part of the National Registry of films.
Richard Konda, an attorney with The Asian Law Alliance and an active
participant in the Japanese-American redress movement.
Shahin Tabrizi, financial consultant specializing in mergers and
acquisitions; Founder, Treasurer and past President of the Persian
Center.
Moderator:
Susan Hayase, software engineer, a leader in the campaign
to obtain redress for former camp internees.
Co-sponsored by:
The Nihonmachi Outreach Committee
Persian Center
San Jose Japanese American Citizens League
YAD2M Creative
Web info at: http://www.yad2m.com/bus/02/manzanar/
pdf copy at:
http://mission.base.com/manzanar/press/sjma-zeroOne_event.pdf
So what does it take to get an event in the Rhizome digest?
I sent a notice, included below for your reference, to list@rhizome.org
as per the instructions at the bottom of each digest. It never appeared
in Rhizome, which puzzles me because I expected it to be of interest to
the Rhizome readership for its political, topical and new media content.
What was the reason for rejecting it? Are only specific people allowed
to submit event notices?
The event was last week so the notice is no longer relevant, but I would
like to know what it takes to get a notice into Rhizome for future
reference. Friends of mine have also told me that they have submitted
notices of new media art events which were never included in the digest
either.
- tamiko thiel
Copy:
To celebrate the acquisition of the Beyond Manzanar virtual reality
installation by the San Jose Museum of Art I am pleased to announce a
panel discussion dealing with infringements of civil rights during the
Japanese American Internment in WW2, the Iranian Hostage Crisis in
1979-'80 and the post 9-11 crisis.
Yours, Tamiko Thiel
---------------------------------------------------------------------
San Jose Museum of Art and ZeroOne: The Art and Technology Network
invite you to a Special Sunday Afternoon Discussion.
BEYOND MANZANAR
Sunday, November 3, 2002 at 3 p.m.
San Jose Museum of Art
110 South Market Street
San Jose, California, USA
Admission: FREE
R.S.V.P. email to michela@groundzero.org
Light refreshments will be served
Special thanks to Tengu Shushi
The virtual reality artwork "Beyond Manzanar" has recently been acquired
by the San Jose Museum of Art. This presentation celebrates the Museum
opening of installation and with the panelists and artists
-- Tamiko Thiel and Zara Houshmand -- explores historical and legal
raised by the artwork.
This art piece dramatically casts guests in the unwitting roles of
internees inside the Manzanar, California Internment Camp and juxtaposes
this experience against the subsequent mistreatment of Iranian-Americans
during the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979-80. More information at:
http://mission.base.com/manzanar/
Now, following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon, a similar situation exists. The afternoon's presentation will
explore the issues and corollaries of all three situations.
The museum sopen at 11:00 - visitors may experience the "Beyond
Manzanar" installation before the presentation. (The piece will be on
exhibit for around 6 months. Entry to the museum is free at all times.)
PRESENTERS/PANELISTS:
Tamiko Thiel, Japanese American new media artist and engineer
interested in investigating new forms of narrative structure and in
developing socially and culturally meaningful uses of virtual reality.
Zara Houshmand, Iranian American writer, theater director, and
multimedia artist whose work focuses on cross-cultural issues. She was
involved in pioneering the development of virtual reality on the
Internet.
Dave Tatsuno, interned at the Topaz camp in Utah during World War II,
will show scenes from his haunting movie of the camp, "Topaz", which
forms part of the National Registry of films.
Richard Konda, an attorney with The Asian Law Alliance and an active
participant in the Japanese-American redress movement.
Shahin Tabrizi, financial consultant specializing in mergers and
acquisitions; Founder, Treasurer and past President of the Persian
Center.
Moderator:
Susan Hayase, software engineer, a leader in the campaign
to obtain redress for former camp internees.
Co-sponsored by:
The Nihonmachi Outreach Committee
Persian Center
San Jose Japanese American Citizens League
YAD2M Creative
Web info at: http://www.yad2m.com/bus/02/manzanar/
pdf copy at:
http://mission.base.com/manzanar/press/sjma-zeroOne_event.pdf
Beyond Manzanar, 3pm Nov.3 / San Jose Museum of Art
To celebrate the acquisition of the Beyond Manzanar virtual reality
installation by the San Jose Museum of Art I am pleased to announce a
panel discussion dealing with infringements of civil rights during the
Japanese American Internment in WW2, the Iranian Hostage Crisis in
1979-'80 and the post 9-11 crisis.
Yours, Tamiko Thiel
---------------------------------------------------------------------
San Jose Museum of Art and ZeroOne: The Art and Technology Network
invite you to a Special Sunday Afternoon Discussion.
BEYOND MANZANAR
Sunday, November 3, 2002 at 3 p.m.
San Jose Museum of Art
110 South Market Street
San Jose, California, USA
Admission: FREE
R.S.V.P. email to michela@groundzero.org
Light refreshments will be served
Special thanks to Tengu Shushi
The virtual reality artwork "Beyond Manzanar" has recently been acquired
by the San Jose Museum of Art. This presentation celebrates the Museum
opening of installation and with the panelists and artists
-- Tamiko Thiel and Zara Houshmand -- explores historical and legal
raised by the artwork.
This art piece dramatically casts guests in the unwitting roles of
internees inside the Manzanar, California Internment Camp and juxtaposes
this experience against the subsequent mistreatment of Iranian-Americans
during the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979-80. More information at:
http://mission.base.com/manzanar/
Now, following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon, a similar situation exists. The afternoon's presentation will
explore the issues and corollaries of all three situations.
The museum sopen at 11:00 - visitors may experience the "Beyond
Manzanar" installation before the presentation. (The piece will be on
exhibit for around 6 months. Entry to the museum is free at all times.)
PRESENTERS/PANELISTS:
Tamiko Thiel, Japanese American new media artist and engineer
interested in investigating new forms of narrative structure and in
developing socially and culturally meaningful uses of virtual reality.
Zara Houshmand, Iranian American writer, theater director, and
multimedia artist whose work focuses on cross-cultural issues. She was
involved in pioneering the development of virtual reality on the
Internet.
Dave Tatsuno, interned at the Topaz camp in Utah during World War II,
will show scenes from his haunting movie of the camp, "Topaz", which
forms part of the National Registry of films.
Richard Konda, an attorney with The Asian Law Alliance and an active
participant in the Japanese-American redress movement.
Shahin Tabrizi, financial consultant specializing in mergers and
acquisitions; Founder, Treasurer and past President of the Persian
Center.
Moderator:
Susan Hayase, software engineer, a leader in the campaign
to obtain redress for former camp internees.
Co-sponsored by:
The Nihonmachi Outreach Committee
Persian Center
San Jose Japanese American Citizens League
YAD2M Creative
Web info at: http://www.yad2m.com/bus/02/manzanar/
pdf copy at:
http://mission.base.com/manzanar/press/sjma-zeroOne_event.pdf
installation by the San Jose Museum of Art I am pleased to announce a
panel discussion dealing with infringements of civil rights during the
Japanese American Internment in WW2, the Iranian Hostage Crisis in
1979-'80 and the post 9-11 crisis.
Yours, Tamiko Thiel
---------------------------------------------------------------------
San Jose Museum of Art and ZeroOne: The Art and Technology Network
invite you to a Special Sunday Afternoon Discussion.
BEYOND MANZANAR
Sunday, November 3, 2002 at 3 p.m.
San Jose Museum of Art
110 South Market Street
San Jose, California, USA
Admission: FREE
R.S.V.P. email to michela@groundzero.org
Light refreshments will be served
Special thanks to Tengu Shushi
The virtual reality artwork "Beyond Manzanar" has recently been acquired
by the San Jose Museum of Art. This presentation celebrates the Museum
opening of installation and with the panelists and artists
-- Tamiko Thiel and Zara Houshmand -- explores historical and legal
raised by the artwork.
This art piece dramatically casts guests in the unwitting roles of
internees inside the Manzanar, California Internment Camp and juxtaposes
this experience against the subsequent mistreatment of Iranian-Americans
during the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979-80. More information at:
http://mission.base.com/manzanar/
Now, following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon, a similar situation exists. The afternoon's presentation will
explore the issues and corollaries of all three situations.
The museum sopen at 11:00 - visitors may experience the "Beyond
Manzanar" installation before the presentation. (The piece will be on
exhibit for around 6 months. Entry to the museum is free at all times.)
PRESENTERS/PANELISTS:
Tamiko Thiel, Japanese American new media artist and engineer
interested in investigating new forms of narrative structure and in
developing socially and culturally meaningful uses of virtual reality.
Zara Houshmand, Iranian American writer, theater director, and
multimedia artist whose work focuses on cross-cultural issues. She was
involved in pioneering the development of virtual reality on the
Internet.
Dave Tatsuno, interned at the Topaz camp in Utah during World War II,
will show scenes from his haunting movie of the camp, "Topaz", which
forms part of the National Registry of films.
Richard Konda, an attorney with The Asian Law Alliance and an active
participant in the Japanese-American redress movement.
Shahin Tabrizi, financial consultant specializing in mergers and
acquisitions; Founder, Treasurer and past President of the Persian
Center.
Moderator:
Susan Hayase, software engineer, a leader in the campaign
to obtain redress for former camp internees.
Co-sponsored by:
The Nihonmachi Outreach Committee
Persian Center
San Jose Japanese American Citizens League
YAD2M Creative
Web info at: http://www.yad2m.com/bus/02/manzanar/
pdf copy at:
http://mission.base.com/manzanar/press/sjma-zeroOne_event.pdf
