Michael Trigilio

Michael Trigilio is a Professor of Teaching in the Department of Visual Arts at the University of California, San Diego, within the School of Arts and Humanities. His artistic and pedagogical work centers on experimental media, exploring themes of identity, science fiction, memory, and social critique.

His research interests include multimedia art, sound, performance, virtual reality, and data-driven artistic expression. He investigates the intersections of technology, state violence, empathy, and the construction of whiteness, often using interdisciplinary methods that merge art with scientific data and speculative narratives.

While no formal academic articles are listed, his creative output over the past two decades reflects a sustained engagement with digital and new media, particularly in projects involving LIDAR, 4K cinema, and stereoscopic imagery. His works frequently appear in major exhibitions and biennials, showcasing a consistent contribution to contemporary media art.

• UCSD Distinguished Teaching Award (2013)

As a core faculty member in the Visual Arts department, Trigilio mentors students in the MFA and PhD programs, contributing to graduate advising and curriculum development. His teaching excellence has been formally recognized, and he has led innovative projects that integrate art with science and technology, such as Project Planetaria with astrophysicist Adam Burgasser.

He has been involved in significant collaborative and solo artistic projects, including Neighborhood Public Radio (featured in the 2008 Whitney Biennial), Starvelab musical releases, and performances like Every Pulse a Riot, which translates police violence data into music and video. His work has been exhibited at institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, LACMA, and the Contemporary Museum in Baltimore.