Atif Akin

Atif Akin is an Associate Professor of Art & Design at Rutgers University – New Brunswick and an artist based in New York. His work critically examines intersections between science, technology, politics, and art through large-scale installations and research projects. Akin holds an academic appointment at Rutgers and advises the university's Center for Cultural Analysis and Critical AI Initiative. He previously worked as an artist and educator in Istanbul before relocating to the U.S. in 2011.

Educations:

• Bachelor's/Master's in Science and Design from Middle East Technical University, Turkey

Research Focus: Akin’s practice centers on Mutant Space and Mutant Time, decade-long projects exploring nuclear mobility, radiation, and deep-time archaeology. His work challenges rigid political categorizations by blending scientific inquiry with artistic expression. Notable installations include site-specific works addressing post-industrial landscapes and architectural-scale interventions.

Recent Activity: Delivered a public lecture at MIT's ACT Cube (Oct 2024) discussing technoscientific narratives in art, emphasizing radioactive materials and mutation as lenses for understanding socio-political dynamics.

Labs/Initiatives: Advisory role at Rutgers' Center for Cultural Analysis and Critical AI Initiative.