Artist Interview: Trish Gianakis

Trish Gianakis is an immersive artist, professor, and art director with over two decades of experience in the field. She is particularly known for her digital paintings, created using AI and Photoshop, and her RAKU sculptures, which incorporate animations and augmented reality to explore themes of healing and resilience. Her work often explores mythology and spiritual themes, intertwining the physical and immersive XR spaces.

She holds a Master's Degree in Computer Art Installation from the School of Visual Arts in NYC, and her expertise has led her to collaborate with prominent companies like Major League Baseball, AMC TV, and artists such as Elton John and Queen Latifah. She is also an Emmy Award winner for her on-air graphics work for an NBC documentary. In 2022, she was selected for a two-year artisan residency at BronxNet TV, where she created projects ranging from augmented reality tours of famous Bronx artists to virtual reality set designs for TV programming.

We asked Trish about her art, creative process, and inspirations.

“*Oral Fixation” Raku sculpture and fiber optic wire, the artwork is accompanied by augmented reality “Healing Dancer” Minted on The Fine Arts Ledger*

Can you tell us about your background as a digital artist? How did you get started in this field?

I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember and have been using computer art for over the past 20+ years. My interest in the digital arts was sparked in undergraduate college when I wrote a paper on computer art. At that time to create art in Sculpt 3D math was required without use of a mouse. A few years later I moved to NY and went to SVA to earn a master's degree in computer art installation. My final thesis was a 10-foot-by-foot Virtual Reality interactive installation, one of the first of its kind in NYC in 1999.

“*ArtWorld Protected by Mother Earth*.” Virtual Reality ArtWorld I created using MultiBrush and then imported the 3d world into Spatial, MOther Earth was created with AI and then changed and fine-tuned in Photoshop. Many other artworks float around.

What inspires your art? Are there any particular themes or subjects that you enjoy exploring through your artwork?

My art is primarily figurative, focusing on the human experience. I draw inspiration from emotions and female empowerment. By incorporating the emotions I have experienced throughout my own journey—from the discovery of cancer, through the treatments, and now as a survivor—with my art, I blend the physical and digital realms through the use of virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. I create digital paintings with the aid of AI and then refine and re-paint in Photoshop, I also create raku-fired sculptures, and then I intertwine animations and augmented reality to tell stories of healing and fortitude. My art weaves mythology and spiritual themes, crafting narratives that speak to the resilience of the human spirit.

“Ensensious, Me 2”: Originally, a sculpture made of clay and raku-fired, the art is a moment of sensuality and sexuality. However, in 2019, someone intentionally broke the artwork, marking one of my "Me2" moments. The relationship became fractured, mirroring the state of my sculpture. The feeling of sadness transformed the artwork into an Augmented Reality face filter, turning it into a mask of rage. In this digital realm, 100 people are depicted wearing my art on their faces through the Augmented Reality application Spark AR.

What is an event which you consider a milestone in your digital art career?

2015, my artistic journey underwent a transformative shift prompted by my cancer diagnosis. This led me to transition from my role as a Creative Director while running my digital marketing agency, ClasseDesign, I was working many hours, and 24/7 and came down with breast cancer. From the day I found out and now, every day I have created a piece of artwork. My creations helped me recover with a positive mindset with my art. I made a major shift from running my company to becoming a dedicated full-time artist and professor.

*“Alter Ego Series” “Black Angel”, Muse Huntress”, Alter Ego, Savage Boss”: Scan QR code to see the augmented reality experience*

Are there any artists or creative influences that have had a significant impact on your work? How have they shaped your artistic style or approach?

The digital video art installations created by Bill Villa are a huge influence starting back as early as 1999 well as Tony Ursula with his video projection on materials, Toni Dove with her motions tracking for cinematography, she was my mentor during my thesis studies in 1999 at SVA. And the classic Marcel Duchamp’s approach to chance art. The major influence of these artists helped steer me to refine my practice which is deeply rooted in technology, intersecting physical art with the expansive realm of extended reality.

“*Be Gentile, I’m Fierce”: Raku sculpture accompanied by augmented reality face filter*

You’re also an instructor of extended reality arts – how has your experience teaching at the university influenced your own art practice?

Working with students has significantly influenced my understanding of my art and how it communicates with others. Interacting with students, who represent the next generation, has motivated me to inspire them while being inspired in return. Their enthusiasm challenges me to stay updated on learning new technologies, apps, and trends, including areas like crypto. Sometimes, in my research for lectures, I stumble upon new trends that further enrich my work and keep me on the cutting edge of knowledge. The dual experience of teaching and learning from students has enhanced my appreciation for the dynamic and evolving nature of art and its transmission in today's rapidly changing world.

“*Queen of the Night*” Originally a raku sculpture, was scanned into 3D objects and then converted to an augmented reality face filter that sings Motzart’s opera “Queen of the Night” when you open your mouth. Augmented reality installation at ETH Denver 2024.

How do you see extended reality arts evolve in the future?

The future of art is limitless with extended reality and I see us in a digital renaissance right now. With the use of augmented reality and virtual reality, art has no limits except for your imagination. A great example is from my art residency at BronxNet TV. Over these past two years, I had the opportunity to create virtual set designs using Unreal Engine for TV programming I also use AI for my workflow process, a technique I used while creating virtual reality set design for BronxnetTV at my residency in the Bronx.

“*Caged” was created during COVID-19, a reminder of the distance. Published artwork with a poem in “Can You HAIKU”. “Living in caged minds, isolation keeps us safe, the distance is real.”*

What is a dream project you’d like to make one day?

My dream project is to create a fully immersive installation in an epic venue, to educate the public about the boundless possibilities of extended reality arts. This installation would seamlessly weave together the physical and digital worlds, offering visitors a truly unique engaging, and interactive experience.

What else fills your time when you’re not creating art?

Besides my digital art and teaching, I craft sculptures with clay, employing the ancient Japanese raku firing process. This technique is both exhilarating and unpredictable, imbuing each piece with a singular essence. I find solace in cooking, and workout in my DoJO in the energy arts ⛩ Qigong a relaxing ritual that allows me to unwind and savor the simple pleasures of life. My world is further enriched by my family, which includes two wonderful sons, a playful cat, and a loyal dog.