Ben Forest is an artist and creative technologist based in NYC. He is one half of ARIADNE, an experimental sacred music and new media art duo whose work explores the intersection of mysticism, dream analysis and the failure of digital systems through a synthesis of music performance, digital and interactive art, poetry and dramatic experience. Much of ARIADNE’s output consists of interactive audio/visual performances which employ custom built hardware and software, real-time 3D animation, and machine learning to create immersive and captivating experiences. ARIADNE’s body of work includes feature-length audio/visual albums, web-based virtual reality, and a/v installations.
He most recently spoke about his work with ARIADNE at the Touchdesigner TouchIn Meetup in NYC along side Greg Hermanovic, Vincent Houze and Mary Frank. Video link here.
Ben’s work with ARIADNE has been presented internationally at Kiezsalon Seres, Berlin; Issue Project Room, Brooklyn; National Sawdust, Brooklyn; Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh; Ende Tymes Festival, Brooklyn; Lafayette Electronic Arts Festival, Colorado; CURRENTS New Media Festival, Sante Fe; MIT List Visual Arts Center, Cambridge; Harvestworks, New York;
Ben has been invited to lecture and perform as a Visiting Artist at School of the Art Institute of Chicago; University of Utah College of Fine Arts, Salt Lake City; University of Denver – Emergent Digital Practices; Prichard Art Gallery – University of Idaho.
Ben’s work with ARIADNE was featured in Paste Magazine’s list of “20 of the Most Innovative Musicians Working Today” and has been written about in NPR’s All Songs Considered and EXCLAIM! Magazine.