Kirell Benzi

Head of Research, ekino Paris

Dr Kirell Benzi is a data artist, international speaker and educator. After studying communication systems engineering at ECE Paris, he embarked on a PhD thesis in data science, obtained at EFPL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) in 2016. He developed a passion for digital art at a very young age and explored the field of digital creation as a teenager while turning photographs into abstract visuals. His expertise in data visualization and creative coding enables him to design processes that express his passion for data. His work is exhibited in museums (Swiss National Museum, ArtLab), magazines (La Recherche) and online (Gizmodo, Wired, Engadget, etc.) on more than 100 sites in 10 languages.

In their entirety, Kirell's creations are articulated and decoded according to a range of nuances, shapes, dots and plots that are staged according to the nature of the data, using mathematical tools and processes derived directly from scientific research.

Through a visual and hypnotic semantics, Kirell tries to demonstrate that algorithms have a soul… In other words, that one can generate emotion and curiosity through calculation. Although it may be associated with coldness in the collective imagination, this logic has something to seduce those allergic to algebra.

Since 2017, he regularly travels the globe to educate the general public and researchers about Data Art, with more than 40 conferences including a recent tour in the USA (Stanford, Princeton, Cornell, UCLA, UCSD, Los Alamos, Santa Fe institute), he also teaches data visualization at several institutions.

Kirell left ekino in early 2021.