Ivica Ico Bukvic
Ivica Ico Bukvic, Professor
School of Performing Arts
313 Henderson Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-6139 | ico@vt.edu
A transdisciplinary creative, Ivica Ico Bukvic's work is defined by the community building through creative enabling technologies and experiences. Bukvic’s output encompasses aural, visual, acoustic, electronic, performances, installations, technologies, research publications, presentations, grants, patent disclosures, and awards. His most recent work focuses on multisensory immersion with particular focus on spatial audio and immersive sonification, new interfaces for musical expression, exploring connections between the arts and human health, and recontextualizing STEM K-12 education through innovative approaches to creativity and technology.
Bukvic spent most of his career as a scholar-practitioner developing new transdisciplinary trajectories. Between 2011 and 2019 he has received more than $1 million in external funding.
Having completed his temporary 2018 appointment as the Virginia Tech College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences interim associate dean for graduate studies, research and College’s diversity director, Bukvic currently serves as the inaugural director of Creativity + Innovation (C+I) transdisciplinary community of over 120 faculty, a part of Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT) and the Destination Areas initiative.
Bukvic is the founder and director of the Digital Interactive Sound and Intermedia Studio (DISIS) and the Linux Laptop Orchestra (L2Ork), co-founder of the Creative Technologies in Music (CTM) degree option, co-Director of the Human-Centered Design (HCD) individualized PhD (iPhD) program, and a member of the Center for Human-Computer Interaction (CHCI) with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Computer Science. He also serves as the director of preservation for the national Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS) and a member of the New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME) international community steering committee.
Recent recognition highlights include L2Ork’s acknowledgment as the People’s Choice Award nominee (RBTC, 2017), one of the top six transdisciplinary projects in the United States (a2ru, 2015), and as one of the eight top research projects at Virginia Tech (DCist, 2014), AL Light & Architecture Design Award (New York, 2013), first place in the First International Laptop Orchestra Competition (Montana University, 2011), Excellence in Research and Creative Scholarship Award (VT CLAHS, 2011), XCaliber Award (VT, 2010), Best Animated Short (San Francisco, 2009), and the Creative Achievement Award (VT CAUS, 2009).
Bukvic received his doctorate in music composition in 2005 with cognates in computer music programming and music theory at the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. Before joining Virginia Tech, he taught at the Oberlin Conservatory and the University of Cincinnati.
For additional information, visit Bukvic’s personal website at ico.bukvic.net
- Immersive Audio
- Sonification
- New Interfaces for Musical Expression
- Recontextualizing STEM K-12 Education
- Arts + Health
- DMA, University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music
- MA, University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music
- BA, University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music
Ever since I was a child, I was fascinated by both arts and technology. Throughout my life the two were like helixes tightly wound one around the other. I always wanted to marry the two, but did not know how, in part because through my rather conservative education I was continually discouraged to do so. It was not until I got into college that I discovered “accepted” ways of combining the two.
My greatest influence is my own family. Ever since I learned I was going to become a dad, my life took a dramatic turn and I never looked back. Even in the hardest of times, my family is what fuels my passion and gives me the energy to tackle even the toughest of challenges.
I would like to extend this question to what are the most important qualities of any student. I believe it is a sense of confidence, self-sufficiency, and the ability to self-reflect and question. I believe that is the key to higher education and, ultimately, lifelong success.
Arts in this case serve as that “outside the box” kind of creativity, unaffected by pre-existing laws and rules. Whomever can navigate such a nearly infinite space of possibilities will surely have the strength and persistence to tackle just about any obstacle.