R o b   O ' N e i l l


Morphology

   
    "The Theory of Transformations", 24" x 12", Digital C-Print, 2005



             
"dataProjections001", 18" x 10", Digital C-Print, 2006


The "Morphology Project" series is the synthesis of research, creative tool development, and artistic output. All of the work is derived from large scientific datasets, most recently morphometric data, which record the measurements and proportions of biological elements. All the data was collected by scientists with the tools and apparati of the time. The "Theory of Transformations" is a reinterpretation of the historic geometric species warping theories of biologist D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson. "dataProjections" is a series that depicts gestural 3D structures generated procedurally from data collected in the process of research by a bioanthropologist on gorilla crania. The "dataFace" series, currently in-development, uses historically collected worldwide craniometric data to generate portraits of the individuals represented by the measurements. In all cases, custom programs are written to bring life, through prints, animation, and interactive media, to these datasets.

      
     "dataFace:Portrait001", 16" x 24", Digital C-Print, 2006


Rob O’Neill is an artist, programmer and researcher working at the intersection of art and science. He holds an undergraduate degree in anthropology from Brooklyn College (CUNY) where he focused on anatomy and biological anthropology and an MFA from Parsons in Design and Technology with a focus on visualization.  Professional experience includes: researcher in Cultural Resources in the Division of Anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History; Character Technical Director at PDI/Dreamworks on "Shrek 2" and "Madagascar"; Studio Technical Director at Eyebeam.  He is currently a Research Associate in the Digital Arts Research Lab and on the faculty of Digital Arts at Pratt Institute.  Rob’s work has been shown in collaboration with Kidrobot at Visionaire Gallery and most recently as part of the Exit Art "Studio Visit" show.

Two prints from his "dataProjections" series are included in the ASCI Digital'06 Bio/Med Exhibition.  His upcoming lecture entitled: "Animation:State of the Art" at the 92nd Street Y in New York City will be on November 28th, 2006.

Contact:
http://www.morphometric.com