Steve Gibson is an interactive media artist, audio-visual performer and Associate Professor in Innovative Digital Media at Northumbria University, Newcastle. He is primarily interested in transdisciplinary collaborations between art, design and computing, and has concentrated his research work on tactile and physical interfaces and applications that enable a healthier relationship with technology. He works as lead-beta tester of the Gesture and Media System motion-tracking system and has produced a number of significant body-based pieces using this technology. Steve has also had immediately publicly facing roles as Curator and Director for the Media Art event Interactive Futures (2002-07), and as Co-owner and Creative Director of a media company Limbic Media Corporation (2007-14).

Steve Gibson studied with well-known contemporary composers such as Louis Andriessen and Frederik Rzewski. His experimental electronic collaborative CDs include SPASM: The Sound of Virtual Reality and Hacking the Future. His current research and practice explore the formal, theoretical and practical implications of Live and Real-time Visuals. This work culminated in a co-authored book Live Visuals: History, Theory, Practice was published by Routledge in 2022. His current work revolves particularly around issues of media mapping using synaesthesia as a metaphor, transparent “no-screen” performance using only audio-visual interfaces on stage, and micro performance in support of sustainable performance. He is currently working on a new co-authored book on Audio-Visualism to be published by Routledge in 2026.

Steve has been involved in large-scale multi-screen audio-visual events, including several with Swiss VJ collective Scheinwerfer in Zurich, Vancouver, San Francisco, Chicago, Shanghai and Singapore. He also performs as a body-based performer using motion tracking and gestural interfaces to control sound, lights, and video by movement in 3D space and has exhibited these projects in Xi’an China, Mexico City, Zurich, Stockholm, Seoul and Vancouver. Over the course of his 25-year career he has presented at many world-leading venues including Ars Electronica, 404 Festival Mexico City, Banff Centre for the Arts, Digital Art Weeks, the European Media Arts Festival, the National Museum of Scotland and Cabaret Voltaire, Zurich.

Links
SOUNDCLOUD
VIMEO
Download Steve Gibson's CV
Download a PDF portfolio

Collages and Projects
The cards below show my work in various domains. Click on the images to view the Collage images or to Open the websites for the individual projects.

MOTION-TRACKING

This collage shows my work in motion-tracking.

AUDIO-VISUALS

This collage shows my work in audio-visuals.

HARDWARE-SOFTWARE-PHYSICAL

This collage shows my work with software and hardware design.

TELEBODY (1998-2000)

By Steve Gibson, Jonathan Griffiths & Bert Deivert

TELEBODY is a piece for two music and video "performers" who have real-time control over audio-visuals using MIDI devices.

VIRTUAL DJ (2002-05)

By Steve Gibson

VIRTUAL DJ uses motion-tracking to allow one or more users to use space as an audio remix or performance tool.

WHEN GHOSTS WILL DIE (2005)

By Dene Grigar & Steve Gibson

WHEN GHOSTS WILL DIE is a performance that utilizes multi-sensory elements to tell a story about the dangers of nuclear proliferation.

EXPLODING, PLASTIC & INEVITABLE (2006-12)

by Steve Gibson, Scheinwerfer, Love&Olson, & Jackson 2Bears

"EXPLODING, PLASTIC & INEVITABLE... create[s] an immersive audio-visual experience which mimics the psychedelic atmosphere of the original EPI event.” Luc Meier, Swissnex San Francisco.

GRAND THEFT BICYCLE (2007-17)

by Steve Gibson, Justin Love & Jim Olson

GRAND THEFT BICYCLE is a game-art installation that uses the kinetic interface of a bike to allow users to ride through a 3D “mod” of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

VIRTUAL VJ (2011-15)

by Steve Gibson and Stefan Arisona

VIRTUAL VJ unites the role of the DJ and VJ into one interface: 3D space. Virtual VJ explores cooperation and the sense of personal space in ephemeral, virtual systems.

OPTO-PHONO-KINESIA (2017-19)

by Steve Gibson

OPK is a body-based audio-visual performance piece in which one performer controls sound, video, light and fog.

EPHEMERA (Ongoing )

By Northern Dance

EPHEMERA is a total media performance in which all aspects are controlled by the motions of a dancer.

VRITUAL AV (2022-25)

by Steve Gibson

VRITUAL AV is a body-based total-media audio-visual performance using gesture to control sound, video and lights.