Mert Akbal

Mert Akbal is an active Research Fellow at Hochschule der Bildenden Künste Saar (University of Fine Arts Saar) in the Media Art & Design program, where they serve as Academic Researcher for Media and Artistic Production. They also hold an associated research position at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig-Berlin. Akbal teaches courses in generative arts, animation, and digital media while supervising interdisciplinary student projects that bridge art, design, and computer science.

Education:

• Communication Design, Painting, Animation, Performance, and Media Art (2000-2007) at HBK Saar under Professors Bodo Baumgarten, Burkhard Detzler, Ulrike Rosenbach, and Tamás Waliczky

Akbal's research explores the intersection of artistic creation and scientific inquiry, with particular focus on visual perception, cognitive processes, and the creative potential of technology. Their work in generative media art investigates how artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and computational techniques can expand artistic expression while simultaneously providing insights into human cognition. Projects like 'Binocular Waves' examine visual perception phenomena through artistic experimentation, while 'Dream as Visual Expression' explores the relationship between dreams and conscious visual experience.

Their scholarly output reveals a consistent trajectory exploring the connections between art, technology, and cognitive science. Early work focused on game design and educational technology ('From Technomania to the School of Things', 2014), evolving toward more neuroscience-oriented research examining visual perception ('Active vision varies across the cardiac cycle', 2018) and spatial awareness ('Forward optic flow is prioritised in visual awareness', 2021). Their artistic practice increasingly incorporates scientific methodologies while their scientific publications maintain strong artistic sensibilities.

Akbal actively contributes to interdisciplinary projects through collaboration with visual artists, computer scientists, and cognitive scientists. They have supervised numerous student projects in the Media Art & Design program and coordinated initiatives like 'Discussion Rooms'—virtual reality spaces for audience engagement during the pandemic. Their work 'Kosmos der Urbanen Liga' demonstrates their ability to create virtual exhibition spaces that facilitate meaningful interaction and discourse.

As both a practicing artist and researcher, Akbal maintains active laboratory spaces for experimentation with generative media, virtual reality, and animation technologies. Their 'Generative Arts and Design Lab' serves as a hub for student projects exploring the creative applications of AI and computational techniques. The 'Blender Lab' provides technical training while encouraging artistic innovation with open-source 3D tools.