The Applied Computer Science Lecture Series features practitioners from a wide range of creative and scientific fields, all of whom incorporate applied computer science and technology at the core of their professional inquiry. Open to the entire Woodbury community, the lectures aim to foster dialogue around the increasing role of technology in society, its application across a diverse range of professional practices, the resulting explosion of creative and expressive modes of production, and the ethical and moral dilemmas that have emerged as technology has evolved.
The lecture series welcomed Peter Sistrom, a visual artist, designer, and multimedia architect. While studying traditional architecture at Virginia Tech University, he developed design skills while also gaining a deep appreciation for music and visual forms of musical expression. After getting his B.Arch in 2006 and a few years working as an architect, Peter made his way to Los Angeles to venture deeper into the world of audio/visual performance and interactive media. Along with his friend, Matt Davis, he created [namethemachine] as an outlet for the duo’s creative endeavors in the new media audio/visual performance realm. In 2011 he had the opportunity to join Vsquared Labs in collaboration with Vita Motus and LVTHN to create systems and content for Amon Tobin’s groundbreaking ISAM Live show, solidifying his place in the world of live visuals. Peter went on to head up the performance systems design, generative content and programming for many other acclaimed projects at Vsqaured Labs such as Infected Mushroom’s Fungus Amongus tour, Drake’s OVO festival, American Idol’s 2012 projection mapped stage, and the iconic Epic VJ system that ran the visual content on massive EDM stages for Ultra and Insomniac music festivals. From 2013 onward Peter and Matt evolved [namethemachine] into a business providing bespoke cutting edge performance solutions to like minded artists and performers. These projects include Bassnectar’s live tour visuals, Sound Tribe Sector 9’s 2012 Great Cycle Spectacles tour, numerous interactive performances for Intel, and David Gilmore’s 2016 projection mapped Hollywood Bowl performance.