Edrex Fontanilla

is an experimental filmmaker and new media artist whose creative practice fuses sculptural and computational methods to explore perception, materiality, and temporality.  He researches how the study of human psychology and cognition can inform approaches in experimental media.    With an orientation towards socially responsible expression, Fontanilla is committed to a reflective teaching practice that enables young minds to develop their voice.

Fontanilla joined the Division of Mass Communication at St. John's University in 2018 to spearhead the creation of a new academic program, "Game Development and Emerging Media,"  with the support of a $110,000 research grant.

 

During the tenure track (Fall 2013 — present), Fontanilla’s scholarly and creative work:

• explored the material characteristics of hybrid digital media, in order to expose the different ontological states of digital art and emerging communication forms (e.g., the Mutable Sculpture series, the Seær series).

• investigated the affordances of immersive media towards affecting positive and social change (e.g., the Empathy for Place series, the Empathy for People series).

 

 

EXHIBITIONS & PERFORMANCES

2019

          Nepal Art Council, Kathmandu, Nepal

          Loading Dock Gallery, Lowell, MA

          SWIM Coalition Public Art Project, Queens NY

2018

          Queens Museum, Queens, NY

          Sierra Arts Gallery, Reno, NV

2017

          Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Denver, CO

          Woven Heritage ( نسيج ثقافي ) International Miniature Printmaking Exhibition, United Arab Emirates

          Barrett Art Center, Poughkeepsie, NY

2016

          Chance Ecologies: Newtown Creek, Queens, NY
          Queens Museum, Queens, NY

2015

          LIC Arts Open, Reis Studios, Queens, NY
          Radiator Gallery, Queens, NY

2014
          TechFest 2014, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India

 

 

PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS

2019

          Emergence of Manichean Political Rhetoric – Theoretical modeling of Predictive Frameworks

          Truth and Communication in the Age of Misinformation from Kierkegaard to Social Media

                    St. Johns University, Queens, NY

2018

          Employing Disability Simulations and Preliminary Virtual Reality Technology to Foster Cognitive and

          Affective Empathy towards Individuals with Disabilities,  book chapter

                    Scientific Concepts behind Happiness, Kindness and Empathy in Contemporary Society

2017

          Chance Ecologies: Artists and Post-Industrial Urban Wilderness, Union Docs, Brooklyn, NY

2016

          Hidden Vistas: Empathy and Place in Virtual Reality Installations
          Chance Ecologies: Queens Symposium, Queens Museum, Queens, NY

         "Empathy for Place," Mediapolis Journal, http://www.mediapolisjournal.com/2016/09/empathy-for-place/

2014

          Sear: A New Media Text Delivery System, 14th Biennial Symposium for Arts and Tech, Connecticut College, New London, CT

 

 

AWARDS/GRANTS/RESIDENCIES
2019

          St. John's University Research Infrastructure Grant

          Getting to Zero in Dutch Kills Public Art Grant

2018

          Sierra Arts Gallery Grant

2017

          Arrow Five Years Out Art Commission

2016

          Queens Museum Studio in the Park Residency

2013

          Andrew G. Mellon Grant

 

edrex fontanilla ::