Marc Downie is an artist and artificial intelligence researcher. Born in Aberdeen, UK, he has an MA in natural science and a MSci in physics from the University of Cambridge, graduating at the head of his class with the Mott Prize in the Natural Sciences. In 2005 he obtained a PhD from MIT’s Media Lab, writing a thesis entitled “Choreographing the Extended Agent.”

Downie’s complex algorithmic systems are inspired by natural systems and a critique of prevalent digital tools and techniques. His interactive installations, compositions, and projections have presented advances in the fields of interactive music, machine learning, and computer graphics.

In addition to extensive collaborations with his key colleagues Paul Kaiser and Shelley Eshkar, Downie has worked with Merce Cunningham, Bill T. Jones, and Trisha Brown. While he was at the MIT Media Lab, he collaborated extensively with colleagues there, playing key roles in projects such as as AlphaWolf (A Prix Ars Electronica honorable mention in 2002), Dobie (SIGGRAPH 2002), and (void *) (SIGGRAPH 2000), and Jeux Deux (2006).

Downie’s solo works include the series Musical Creatures (2000-3), which have been exhibited internationally.

Downie is currently preparing his multimedia authoring system for release as an open source project.

Marc’s full resumé may be found in this PDF.