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Arts, Design and Media

NameResearch Interests
Prof Alfred M BrucksteinVariational Methods in Image Analysis and Synthesis, Multi A(ge)nt Robotics and Applied Geometry
Prof Anand Krishna AsundiProf. Asundi's primary research interests are in the field of photomechanics with specific applications in the fields of micro and nano mechanics, biomechanics, chemical sensing, non-destructive testing and smart structures.
Assoc Prof Andrea NanettiDr Andrea Nanetti—as a scholar, who started his research vocation in historical studies at the advent of computer operating systems with graphical user interfaces—has always been fascinated by the exponential growth of interdependencies between artificial actions (i.e., human made) and computational operations (i.e., completed by electronic devices able to store and process data, typically in binary form, according to instructions given to them in a variable program or machine learning, which allows algorithms to learn through experience, and do things that we are not able to program). With this interest, he is proposing the theoretical need to direct traditional disciplinary knowledge toward a formal science of heritage (i.e., the treasure of human experiences), which will focus on how data and information—now encoded in complex interactions of written, pictorial, sculptural, architectural, and digital records, oral memories, practices, and performed rituals—may be inherited by machine learning algorithms. This state-of-the-art science pioneers integrated action plans and solutions in response to, and in anticipation of, the exponential growth of emerging needs in our increasingly complex human society. In practice, the research uses multidisciplinary and trans-disciplinary methods to identify case studies for interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary teamwork investigations. Since 2007, Dr Nanetti's main research project is EHM-Engineering Historical Memory (http://www.engineeringhistoricalmemory.com, since 2015 on Microsoft Azure). EHM is both an experimental methodology and an ongoing research project for the organization of historical information in the machine learning age. He first theorized it as a Visiting Scholar at Princeton University in 2007. Since his arrival at NTU in 2013, Dr Nanetti has been working on the globalisation of his research interests. Starting from his background studies on the world as seen from Venice through its chronicles and diaries (1205-1433) and world maps (e.g. Fra Mauro), he opened the range of the investigation of other coeval historiographical traditions, in Chinese, Greek, Russian, Persian, and Arab. EHM develops and tests new sets of shared conceptualizations and formal specifications for content management systems in the domain of the Digital Humanities, with a focus on how to engineer the treasure of human experiences and serve decision making, knowledge transmission, and visionarios. In practice, his research develops and applies computationally intensive techniques (e.g., pattern recognition, data mining, machine learning algorithms derived from other disciplines, knowledge aggregators, interactive and visualization solutions). From a theory point of view, EHM focuses on history of historiography and studies new ontologies for the semantic web, inspired by Derrida's notion of trace, Ginzburg's "thread and traces" theory, and last but not least Umberto Eco's semiotics (e.g., 2007 'Dall'Albero al Labirinto', published in English in 2015 as 'From the Tree to the Labyrinth'). In his long-term strategic fit at the NTU Singapore School of Art, Design and Media, Dr Nanetti is designing and engineering a new generation of knowledge aggregators for immersive spaces to test how interactive media and AI can share the century-old experiences of Arts and Humanities with Sciences. In this intellectual framework in 2017 Dr Nanetti initiated an interdisciplinary project to revitalise the social nature of learning experiences from a transcultural perspective. The project is called “Dancing over Ideas of Research”. D.A.N.C.I.N.G. identifies the knowledge aggregation process (Definition, Assumption, Notion, Concept, Interpretation, Narrative, Gamut), which uses AI in immersive spaces to augment and expand the human capacity to discuss complex ideas (i.e., ways of seeing and representing reality) and ultimately facilitate solutions to the 21st century grand challenges.
Prof Ben Alvin SheddProf Ben's research concerns creating effective science and technology media about very large and very small phenomena seen on displays from handheld size to multi-story high screens. He received a 1989 summer long Residential Creativity Fellowship from the Alden B. Dow Creativity Center, Northwood University where he began his EXPLODING THE FRAME research comparing small screen and giant screen imagery and creating a new filmic language for effective giant screen production. This research began for producing IMAX giant screen films and continues today with ever larger high-resolution digital screens and full dome immersive presentations where the edges of the screen frame are outside our field of vision.
Mr Benjamin Alexander SlaterScreenwriting Craft and Practice Fiction, Narratives & Storytelling Interactive & Experiential Narratives Urban Space, Psychogeography Film Histories & Criticism Creative Writing
Assoc Prof Benjamin SeideInterdisciplinary collaboration of art and technology Visual Effects as a aesthetic and narrative device in film Development of new animation and visual effects relevant techniques Animation and Visual Effects specific project management systems Immersive media experiences such as 360 degree films, Virtual Reality (VR) and stereoscopic film My current research interests in the field of animation, visual effects and interactive are particularly in these three areas: 1) The role of visual effects as an aesthetic and narrative device in film-making 2) The exploration of immersive technologies such as stereoscopy, dome projections and virtual reality applications 3) The development of software tools to support the production process of visual effects at universities and small to medium size (SME) studios These specific interests have evolved organically from my previous research projects and my animation practice as visual effects artist and supervisor. Through my experience in the visual effects industry, I have identified a lack of tools supporting the production process of complex visual effects at universities and small to medium size studio teams. The aim of my research is to develop solutions to fill this gap in form of software tools, which could potentially be used by other universities in the field of art and media.
Asst Prof Bernhard Johannes SchmittBernhard's research interests are in the areas of stop-motion animation, experimental animation and interdisciplinary research in art and technology with an emphasis on social robots.
Assoc Prof Biju DhanapalanBiju Dhanapalan has research interests in the following areas: Digital animation and visual effects practice led research covers areas of feature films, commercials and TV serials; the interdisciplinary collaboration of art and technology in new media and interactive exhibits; 3D immersive technology in air traffic control systems; Motion analysis of classical dance forms; intuitive pedagogical tools for math learning. Multi-surface projections, Interactive Stereoscopy and Alternate Education. Inquiry into the play of 'song and and dance' in Indian cinema and its role in the narrative arc of films
Prof C.J. Wee Wan-ling• Globalisation and contemporary cultural production in East and Southeast Asia • Curation and the idea of 'Asia' • Literature, theatre and contemporary visual art in Singapore • Colonialism and nationalism in English and Anglophone literatures and cultures • Cultural and Postcolonial theory • Modernity and modernism in Euro-America and East Asia
Assoc Prof Cai YiyuHis interest in Interactive & Digital Media (IDM) mainly includes Tactile/Haptic VR System Design, GPU-accelerated Digital Media Processing, Serious Games and Simulation, and Computer-aided Design. He has been doing research in the intersection of IDM, and Bio & Medical Sciences covering from Computer-assisted Surgery to Volumetric Cellular Image Processing to Phase I/II Drug Clinical Trial Design to Protein Docking. In MedTech field, he pioneered the research and development on Cardiovascular and Intracardiac Interventional Simulation for pre-treatment planning and training application. He is also active in industry-oriented research working closely with Engineering and Education sectors.