CHiKA is a Japanese born New York-based artist who works with light sculptures, audiovisual performances, and technology. Her experience working as a real-time visual artist, VJ with experimental sound composers, 8-bit musicians, and club DJs, experimenting with improvisational communication with an audience synchronously and one-way communication with public audiences strongly influences her desire to connect them to her installation directly through interactive technology. Her interest in the medium has changed alongside technological evolution from Photography, Graphic Design, VJing, Projection-Mapping, to Light Sculpture to connect the public. She received her BFA at the School of Visual Arts and her Masters from the Interactive Telecommunications Program at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts. As an educator, she is the founder of a projection mapping and LED pixel mapping workshop, Mappathon™, teaching mapping techniques and technology, from conceptualizing to finalizing the installation, and artist development through her practice. Since 2017, she has been part of the Paseo festival advisory council, and she was a Designers-in-Resident at the New York Hall of Science in 2020. She was a Visible Future Lab resident at the School of Visual Arts in 2019, New Media resident at Mana Contemporary in 2018, Harvestworks workspace resident, and Elsewhere artist resident in 2017, Bronx Museum AIM program, Laboratory resident, BRIC Media arts fellow, and Triangle workshop resident in 2016, Made in NY Media Center by IFP resident in 2015, Eyebeam Spring Summer resident in 2013, IAC teaching and research fellow and ITP research resident in 2012 and Experimental TV Center resident in 2009. Her work has been exhibited in the US as well as at numerous international venues and festivals. Some sites include the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Art and Design, the NY Hall of Science, the Bronx Museum, Eyebeam, Harvestworks, the Hammer Museum, San Francisco Art Institute, Centre d ’Art Contempor Rain, Museo Regional de Guadalajara, Matador Madrid, International Biennial Contemporary Art ULA-2, Mapping Festival, Mutek, Dumbo Art Festival, World of Light, and Arcadia Earth, amongst others.
