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Dr. Mani Mehrvarz, a seasoned multimedia artist-producer and filmmaker, brings over two decades of rich experience and academic prowess to his roles as an educator and creator. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Design and Communication, a Master's in Intermedia and Video from the Poznań University of Fine Arts in Poland, and a Ph.D. in Media Study from University at Buffalo, New York, where his research focused on the materiality of media in artistic practices, bridging radical media archaeology with object-oriented philosophy.
With a teaching tenure exceeding seven years, Dr. Mehrvarz has imparted his knowledge in documentary and media theory at the University at Buffalo, and has been a lecturer in the Integrated Digital Media program at New York University.
In his artistic endeavors, Mani pushes the boundaries of moving-image art, experimenting with databased cinema, interactive documentary, and video mapping, moving beyond traditional linear narratives. His innovative works in video and film have been exhibited and acclaimed globally since 2006, earning numerous awards and recognitions at juried festivals.
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Embarking on a journey through the tapestry of my career, I traversed the vast landscapes of innovation and creativity without a whisper of fear, eager to delve into uncharted territories. I am a child of the digital revolution, a witness to the dance between the analog and the digital, navigating the waves of change with an intuitive grasp of both worlds.
Two decades ago, I set out on this path as a graphic designer, cradling the belief that design was a sacred vocation, a solemn duty to the muses of creativity. Yet, as the years unfurled like a scroll of endless possibilities, I discovered that the rigid constraints of graphic design could not contain the fervor of my expression. Fine arts beckoned with its siren call, offering a realm of boundless flexibility where my voice could echo in the silence, unbound and pure.
In my quest, I dared to challenge the linear narratives, weaving through the fabric of traditional storytelling. Each project was a step closer to the essence of narrative, a journey into the heart of storytelling itself. Through this odyssey, I transformed, driven not by the whims of chance but by the relentless pursuit of passion, to emerge as a storyteller, a filmmaker, crafting tales with the threads of human experience.
Teaching once held me in its academic embrace, but I found its promises hollow against the rich tapestry of creation. I chose the path of making, of doing, over the sterile halls of instruction. Yet, within me burns a relentless passion for media philosophy, a belief that the answers to our digital conundrum lie hidden in the echoes of the past.
Life, in its essence, is a series of mediations, a constant flux where not only media but every act is a thread in the larger narrative. As I evolved, my essence remained tethered to the art of storytelling. Whether through the ephemeral magic of performance, the silent eloquence of a poster, or the immersive world of film, my journey is a testament to the power of narrative, an ode to the art of storytelling that has been the constant companion of my soulful voyage through the rivers of creativity and change.