AMIR SOLTANI

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UNIVERSITY EDUCATION:

·          Cambridge University, UK : Doctorate Candidate in Architecture, PhD 2013

Cinematic Aided Design, sensory and gestural analysis of movement in architecture and urban spaces, cinematic mapping, Microstation, Rhino3D, algorithmic cinema. sound synthesis, Haptic and sensory research into moving image and architectural representation working with Dr. Francois Penz; Video, augmented reality, aerial photography and film,, and graphical programming analysis of motion in architectural space. PhD Thesis - Archigesture as Spatial Dynamic Analysis of Urban and Architectural Time-Space.

·          University of California, Berkeley : Master in Environmental Design and Visual Studies, MA 1999

Environmental Design, 3D computer graphics and digital media, through utilizing 3D Studio Max, Microstation, Rhino3D, AutoCAD, algorithmic design. electroacoustic research into sight and sound synthesis at Centre for New Music and Audio Technology (CNMAT), Berkeley; involving interactive music systems and MIDI programming using MAX/MSP. Advance Independent studies in Architectural and sensorial designs for the environment such as public space. MA Thesis - Sound and Vision: A Cross-Synthesis in Sensual Perceptions.

·          San Francisco State University : Bachelor of Fine Arts, emphasis in photography, and multimedia, BA 1993

Fine Arts : mixed–media, painting, drawing, large format photography, print making, sculpture, installation and site specific work, music theory, computer arts & multimedia, electroacoustic music.  During undergraduate studies I was engaged in numerous exhibitions of my works on and off campus, as well as proposals for public and conceptual art installations.

PUBLICATIONS:

Soltani, A. (2011), Archigestural Time Space: an Archaeology of Embodies Lived Space, (unpublished).

Soltani, A. (2011), Embodied Airborne Imagery: Low-Altitude Urban Filmic Topography, (unpublished).

Soltani, A. (2010) Sensations of Nanning, Nanning Urban Planning Bureau Conference, China, Nov. 2010.

ArchFilm Matinee: Urban Cinematics (2010), Haptic Mapping of the City, Filmcasino, Vienna, Austria, Sept. 2010.

Soltani, A. (2010), Mapping Architectural Appearances, Affects, and Amodality, City in Film Conference university of Liverpool, Feb 2010.

Soltani, A. (2009), Haptic Cinema: As Sensory Interface to the Filmic City, Narrascape Conference, University of Cambridge, Dec 2009.

Soltani, A. (2009), Cinesensory: A Filmic Model for Reconstruction of Contested City from Haptic Memories, ISEA 2009, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Aug-Sep 2009.

Soltani, A. (2009), Panohaptic Interface for Architectural Moving Image and Filmic Improvisation, EVA 2009 London, July 6-8 2009.

Soltani, A. (2009), AR Webcams: the Tangible Space of Visible and Invisible in Video, Video Vortex 4, Split, Croatia, May 2009.

Soltani, A. (2008), Cinesensory: A Filmic Design for Mapping Urban Sensorial, Design Cinema Conference 08 Design-en-scène, Istanbul, Turkey, Nov 2008.

Soltani, A. & Probst, N. (2000), Codecity: incrementing = true, 5th International Festival for Architecture in Video, The Future & the City; Florence, Italy, Dec 2000.

Soltani, A. & Ng, K. (2000), Transdomain Mapping, 33rd Royal Music Association (RMA) Conference, University of Huddersfield, 6-9 Jan 2000.

Soltani, A. & Probst, N. (2000), Softbodies/Softidentities: Transactions, ISEA 2000, short-listed project.

Member of CUE Cambridge University Entrepreneurs.

Member of ICSRiM - Interdisciplinary Centre for Scientific Research in Music, University of Leeds, Department of Music.

Margaret Whitmarsh Scholarship 1999.

UC Berkeley Design Fellowship Award, 1998.

UC Berkeley Block Fellowship Awards, 1997-98.

SELECTED PROJECTS:

Aerial Filmic Mapping of Trumpington Street (2010), research film.

ArchFilm Matinee: Urban Cinematics (2010), 5 films screening.

Chronocinematographic (2010), short film.

Framing Motion in Belfast and Tehran (2010), short film for SMIBE.

Amodal Mapping (2009), Cinesensory research.

Cinesensory projects (2007-present), research.

Filmic Psychogeography of Travel Space (2009), new media film.

Vacant Memories, Interactive Narrative (2009), on-line film.

Panohaptic (2008), AV installation.

3+1 Dimensions in Filmic Space (2009), film.

Motion in Cinema and Architecture (2006), CD.

Tehran Kargar St./Enghelab Sq. project (2005), CD.

Woolwich Expert Mapping project (2004), competition.

Hackney InfoCafe Intervention, Shared spaces project (2004), design competition.

SportCentre (2003), design competition.

East: A Musical Matrix (2001), competition AV installation.

Gallery 14: Memory Slices (2001), competition AV installation.

Trans-domain Mapping (2000), AV research.

Muted Multiplicity (1999), AV installation.

Musical Matrix (1999), thesis experiment.

Resolution, for ICA, University of California Inter-Campus Arts (1999), competition AV installation.

Scheme I & II (1998), painting installation.

KinetiCubes and Scroll (1993-95), painting and drawing.

Temporal Site & Signs (1991), site specific photographic.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

·      Supervision of undergraduate architecture student in CAD and 3D modelling at the Cambridge University.

·      Committee member of CUE Cambridge University Entrepreneurs.

·      I am a researcher at university level and working on various projects such as Cinesensory and Archigesture with an aim to create a non-linear blend in design platforms in architecture, arts, and technology.

·      Since 1991 I have been a freelance designer and consultant working from my studio, called metrowave.

·      Dec. 1997 to summer 1999 I have been an architectural archivist technician at the Documents Collections in College of Environmental Design (CED), Department of Architecture and Design, University of California, Berkeley. My duties involved sorting and archiving the big part of the permanent collection. This was a rewarding experience into the history of architecture in California and people who made it happen.

·      1998 and 1999 I was a computer instructor at award winning College for Kids Program, Contra Costa Community College, California. There I took on two classes of 23 students ages 12 to 18. I had a basic IT curriculum with emphasis on computer graphics and Web design.

·      1997 to Sep. 1998 while in graduate school I worked as a guitar and music instructor at ALMA (Academy of Language and Music Arts), a small private school for music and language in Orinda, California.  My course involved basic guitar playing theory and electric guitar set-up. I also helped establish an electroacoustic studio.

·      Other jobs: while I was an undergraduate student I have worked several times in Kodiak Island, Alaska.