Bio
In Chinese medicine it is believed that the spleen harbors the soul, holds the very essence of human existence. In 2002, I was crushed by a falling tree and lost my spleen. I’m spleenless and this might not be a bad thing. In fact, it might be perfectly fitting. In China, the spleen is considered your soul. Chinese doctors have wondered how I continue to exist without a spleen and soul. I’m spleenless, and possibly soul-less, so instead I depend on the cloak of computers to simulate and create soul and some semblance of a spleen.
My current endeavors are directed towards exploring growth, explosions, corrupted data, post-apocalyptic plant overgrowth, and the human soul. I use technology as an appendage to interface with my environment to aid in my search for impressionable ways to re-invigorate growth in all shapes and sizes.
Forms of both artificial and natural growth and synthetic care inspire me. I use computing to establish new connections with the environment and breakdown the alienation that separates our urban information-laden environment from the serenity and peace of wilderness. It is by melding the material and the organic that I hope to create work that encourages social awareness, playful dissent, and urban tranquility. More recently my work has taken these ideas into a more hostile environment using iconic references to media dissent, guerrilla tactics, and urban wilderness.
-jon cohrs (2007)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ——– - —— —- –
I’m a visual/sound artist and recording engineer who recently migrated from Portland, Oregon to Brooklyn, New York. I run a successful recording business named after my lost organ, Spleenless Mastering, that has gained a reputation for fostering an interactive relationship with the artists I work with, such as such as Tara Jane O’Neil, Tin Hat Trio with Zeena Parkins(Bjork), and Talkdemonic.
I’ve completed multiple residencies and workstudies. Most recently, I attended a mobile media residency at the Banff New Media Institute. In 2005, I was a recording engineer working with the Sound & Vision residency in Banff where I worked and collaborated with new media artists such as Benny Nemeroski Ramsey and Japanese performance artist Ujino Muntenero.
As a recording engineer and sound tech, I’ve been working at Eyebeam, and as new media art installer at the Guggenheim Museum installing works by artists such as Pippilotti Rist, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Cai Guo-Qiang, and Richard Prince
Currently, I’m finishing my MFA in New Media Art at Parsons, The New School for Design, exploring technology and how it can foster connections that invoke a sense of nurturing and growth. As a student/artist I’ve been able to work with Graffiti Research Lab , and with The Yes Men.
I’m currently employed by media artist and performer, Laurie Anderson, and an assistant to Corey Arcangel who have both been an inspiration for me.
resume.pdf
