Zen Cohen

Zen Cohen serves as an Assistant Professor of Art specializing in Digital Arts Media within the Department of Art at Clemson University's College of Architecture, Art and Construction. Her artistic practice encompasses photography, film, video, and performance with emphasis on public space interventions and outdoor media installations.

Educational Background:

• MFA in Art Studio, University of California, Davis
• BFA in Film, Video and Performance, California College of the Arts, Oakland

Research and Creative Work: Cohen's research investigates digital media's intersection with public environments through experimental photography and performance. Her internationally exhibited work appears at institutions including the deYoung Museum, SFMOMA, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and Museo de Arte Moderno in Mexico City, exploring how media transforms communal spaces and audience engagement.

Awards:

• National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant supporting the 2024 Open Air Media Festival

Professional Leadership: As founder and director of the Open Air Media Festival in Iowa City, Cohen bridges academic practice with community programming. Her publications in Hyperallergic and Art Practical demonstrate scholarly impact, while Routledge and university press features validate her contributions to contemporary media arts discourse through both creative output and critical writing.