Meet Behn Samareh of Machine Inspired Art

Today we’d like to introduce you to Behn Samareh.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
For the past 25 years, I have devoted my professional and academic life to the pursuit of meaningful ways of combining art and technology. I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Maryland.

And from there, went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Architecture at UCLA, where I also completed my academic journey and received a Ph.D. in Architecture with a focus on Design and Computation. Previously I co-founded Plasis Design, a multi-disciplinary design collective, and am currently the Director for Machine Inspired Art (MIA) design and fabrication studio. I also teach an architecture studio as well as a digital fabrication class at The California State University in Pomona.

Has it been a smooth road?
There is constant struggle between doing what we love, which is being creative and innovative, while making sure we focus enough on marketing so we get the projects that keep the doors open. Balance is the key.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Machine Inspired Art story. Tell us more about the business.
MIA specializes in creating custom art for the hospitality, interior design, and architecture industry. We assist designers in refining their ideas to bring them into reality. Our commissions allow the aim of MIA to focus on exploring and showcasing the role and application of technology, in specific computational technology, within the creative process. This studio is first and foremost a place of exploration and experimentation; it is therefore a place of learning and education. The facilities are accessible to students of the local academic institutions as well as members of the local artist community. In its purpose, this establishment is intended as a design and production hub, focused on promoting and facilitating creativity, production and artistic collaboration. Our tag line – “You think it. We make it.” – sums up what we can do here at MIA which brings the most unusual projects through our doors. We thrive on challenging endeavors. Constant experimentation and collaboration keeps our creativity flowing.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think we will see a more seamless integration of robotics and CNC technology within the experience of architecture [i.e. augmented reality], but the incorporation of VR [Virtual Reality] technology into spatial and environmental design is what’s interesting to me on a personal level. We recently completed the first upgrade/test of our new Virtual Reality suspension apparatus. The device is placed inside a HTC Vive VR play area and is capable of full motion tracking. The user is suspended from 11 points to simulate a near weightless experience. Each connection to the body is able to be adjusted in height individually to change the user position and respond to any virtual stimulus.

Contact Info:

• Address: 530 S Main Street
  Los Angeles, CA 90013
• Website: http://machineinspiredart.com
• Phone: 213-221-7076
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mia_dtla/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MIAGallery
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MacInArt

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