Vivian Rosenthal ’90

Vivian founded Tronic with Jesse Seppi, a friend and fellow graduate of Columbia University’s School of Architecture, where they attended graduate school. Coincidentally, the dean at the time was former GCS parent Bernard Tschumi, and Vivian credits his requirement of ‘paperless studios’ with playing a major role in her interest in digital arts.

As part of the Alumni/ae Speaker Series, Vivian spoke with Upper School students. The students were curious as Vivian explained the vision for her studio as “the collaboration of space, technology, perception, and humanity all culminating in experience.”  But they were captivated by the images when she showed them the range of computer generated animation she produced—the work of grafitti artists coming to life, origami forms mobilized, and marbles rolling playfully with a mission. Students asked questions about everything from specific computer programs to the creative process, demonstrating a particular interest in the varying technologies and techniques involved in the work Vivian showed them that afternoon. Later she commented, “I’m so surprised and pleased by the sophistication of their questions!”

After the presentation, Vivian was able to catch up with her former science teacher, Mr. Divéki, to whom she confessed that all of her work is based in math and physics. She thanked him and added, “Schools and teachers really shape you. I wasn’t aware of it then, but looking back it’s true.”