Zach Poff

Zach Poff is an Adjunct Professor at the Cooper Union School of Art in New York City, specializing in Sound Art and interdisciplinary media practices. He also serves as a Technical Assistant in Film/Video. His work emphasizes collaborative and generative systems, exploring ecological relationships and social dynamics through sound installations, field recordings, and live-streamed environmental data.

Education: B.A. from the University of Maryland. Professional affiliations include Cooper Union, Bennington College, and Cooper Union Continuing Education. He has led workshops on sound recording and expanded media at UnionDocs and other institutions.

Research Interests: Open systems, algorithmic remixes of media, and tools that bridge ecological and social studies. Notable projects include Pond Station (2015), a live-streaming underwater sculpture, and Sferics 2: Bell Cloud (2013), which translates lightning energy into acoustic compositions. His work critiques commercial media's individualism, advocating for shared creative practices.

Exhibitions and Awards: Works shown at the Portland Biennial (2013), ISEA (Singapore), and venues in Estonia and Armenia. Recipient of fellowships from NYFA and Wave Farm, and a 2021 Educational Innovation Grant from Cooper Union.

Grants and Labs: Participated in Wave Farm Residency (2013), Iowa Lakeside Lab Residency (2024), and other research collaborations. Technical contributions include DIY contact microphone designs and open-source software for sound/video synchronization.

Labs/Teams: Collaborations with N.B. Aldrich (Sferics 2), University of Maine departments, and institutions like UnionDocs. His practice integrates art, technology, and ecology into pedagogical frameworks.