how he got his start building projection mapping systems when the

technology was brand new, what it’s like to

design content for dome projections, and why the technical constraints

of light and contrast matter more than most people realize. He talks

about how AI tools like GitHub Copilot have expanded his ability to work

across platforms like Unity, Unreal Engine, and web-based 3D, and

explains his philosophy of using AI to build tools rather than generate

results. Manuel also discusses his work with the

DATARAIZ lab, where he and his

collaborators are rebuilding the spirit of hacker spaces and open-source

communities to bridge art and engineering. The episode closes with the

story of one of his favorite projects: a light installation on a

powerline tower that has been standing and evolving for over 14

years.

Topics Covered

vvvv, building custom systems for

audiovisual performances, and riding the early wave of projection

mapping

GitHub Copilot and VS Code to unlock platforms like Unity, Unreal

Engine, and THREE.js for web-based VR

and AR, and building tools rather than just generating images and video

button: Why Manuel gravitates toward live events where the show

depends on systems he built, and the balance between engineering and

improvisation

contrast and brightness, designing for exploratory

vs. fixed-point-of-view experiences, and creating a real-time collective

interactive dome installation where audience members controlled visuals

via QR codes on their phones

Monument: How an abandoned brutalist communist-era dome

building in Bulgaria inspired Manuel’s artistic work

contamination, why abstract content and forced perspective work better

than narrative characters, and why projector power is the biggest

constraint

client expectations, and narrative length shift depending on the

setting

clients are still surprised by creative technology: “people haven’t seen

it all”

the hacker space spirit, bridging artists and engineers, and running

workshops on interactive technology and dance

non-technical creators understand what’s possible with motion tracking,

projection, and sensors

immersive experiences to get people off their phones and into shared,

real-life interactions

built on a power line tower that has been standing

for 14+ years

Guest Bio

is a creative technologist and visual artist with over 15 years of

experience specializing in immersive audiovisual experiences and

interactive installations around the world. He has taught at

universities and cultural institutions worldwide, and has led projects

in places like Tokyo, Hong Kong, Berlin, and the United States.