Heran Genene

Heran Genene is an influential immersive-tech artist, community mobilizer, and autoethnographic art producer. Devoted to Hacksperiments and emerging technologies, Genene expands the definitions and expectations of integrated tech and new media. Genene creates embodied experiences that move between physical and virtual realms while using a variety of 3D design/animation techniques, XR softwares and Artificial Intelligence. 

Genene’s work sits within intersections between concepts, finding meaning in the spaces-between, and encouraging new ideas to emerge. Applying unique digital textures and exploring the human physical form, Genene channels a raw expression across various mediums. With an attentiveness to criticality, Genene examines the human emotional experience of ‘staying connected’ while using the tools of new technology.

As an afrofuturist, Genene integrates and responds to anthropological and existential wisdom. Genene’s Ethiopian-Canadian diaspora experiences are rooted in T’karonto’s emerging arts and cultural spaces. Working with communities and pushing boundaries in experimental new media art, Genene’s work facilitates cross-continental cultural exchanges.

Genene is the founder of PlayStudioXYZ, an experimental integration-technology studio committed to demystifying emerging tech through play and accessibility. This initiative is achieved by sharing experiences, building local and international networks and enabling others via skill-sharing and teaching.The idea is to use tech and digitization to dismantle pre-existing barriers across various communities.