Professor Rebecca Allen has been named chair of the Department of Design Media Arts. An internationally recognized artist, research scientist and pioneer in 3D computer graphics, human motion simulation and interactive media, Allen was the founding chair of the department and as well as the founding co-director of the UCLA Center for Digital Arts.
Allen's work crosses the boundaries of art, design and science. She has worked extensively in Europe and the United States, producing commissioned projects in Spain, Germany, Italy, England, New York and Los Angeles, and has collaborated with artists such as Kraftwerk, Mark Mothersbough from Devo, John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel, Carter Burwell, Twyla Tharp, Joffrey Ballet and La Fura dels Baus.
From 1996-2002, Allen directed the Emergence Project at UCLA, an Intel funded research effort involving artificial life, 3D virtual environments, augmented reality and unique multimodal interfaces. Among a number of previous positions, she was senior research scientist and director of the Liminal Devices research group at Media Lab Europe in Dublin, Ireland, and creative director/producer and 3D visionary at Virgin Interactive Entertainment. She received a B.F.A. from Rhode Island School of Design and an M.S. from MIT.
In addition to her commissioned work, Rebecca has designed and directed research-oriented projects for numerous clients including CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS/Nova, BBC, TVE (Spain), Time-Warner, Island, Mattel, Philips, Nintendo, Taejon World Expo, Sevilla World Expo, Apple and DARPA. Her artwork is exhibited internationally and is part of the permanent collection of the Whitney Museum of American Art and Centre Georges Pompidou. Her many awards include an Emmy award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Design.
Allen has published over 25 papers and articles and has lectured extensively around the world. She has received 25 awards and grants, and over 20 commissions from Europe and the U.S. for technology based art work. Her work has been exhibited in over 135 exhibitions and has appeared in numerous international television broadcasts. Articles and reproductions of her work have appeared in more than 300 publications.
