ARS is an Art Practice
A group of art supporters, art advocates, collectors, enablers, curators, and educators who want to see what happens when artists are given cutting edge tools to create new work.
What we do
ARS provides technology and resources to artists whose interest aligns with these new mediums, allowing them to develop an alternative and complimentary means of expression to their existing practice.
Technology
ARS provides high quality cutting-edge technology that fits with the vision of the artists.
Exhibition
Each completed project is presented at the ARS studio in Eagle Rock California or at a Los Angeles arts institution.
Resources
ARS recruits advisors and experts in a variety of fields to assist artists in the development of their projects.
Community
As a 501(c)(3) ARS expands the community’s understanding of technology and art in society.
Why ARS?
Founded in 2017 by Brent Imai and Frank Masi, Art Reality Studio (ARS) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit public charity dedicated to connecting artists to technology. ARS asks: What happens when artists are given access to the latest cutting-edge technology?
The 21st century has ushered in a world with a rapidly changing technological landscape that has the potential to impact our communities and society more quickly and to a greater degree than ever before. Through the development of new economies to the destruction of democratic processes, technology is both humanity's greatest asset and greatest threat.
ARS offers artists the opportunity to employ the latest technologies as a means to understand the human experience in this new reality. Known to be the most innovative problem-solvers, artists have the ability to illuminate technology’s potential impact on the world and demonstrate how we can understand our place as humans in this ever-evolving ecosystem.
Get to Know Us
Board Members
Brent Imai
President - Co-Founder
"There are two through lines that define my career. First, I’m always looking for what’s new in products, technology, and business models. The second is a motivation to build platforms that enable others to achieve their goals.
My 25 years career in the entertainment industry, starting in television then transitioned to digital media. Some highlights include work with sports teams and leagues, developing an Emmy Award winning interactive television series featuring NASCAR racing, serving as the first executive producer for the Prime Ticket Network in Los Angeles, pioneering new forms of television experiences with Game Show Network, CNN, PBS, MTV, and heading original content development for AT&T.
In 2016, I created OmniWorks, a business incubator focusing on women and minority entrepreneurs. Co-founding Art Reality Studio is my latest endeavor that combines what’s new with supporting others."
Frank Masi
Secretary/Treasurer - Co-Founder
"I have held design, fabrication, and project director positions in the field of live entertainment starting in 1966 as the Technical Director of the Meadow Brook Theatre in Rochester, Michigan, and finishing in 2005 as the Universal Creative Project Director for new theme park attractions at Universal Studios, Hollywood.
Highlights from those 40 years include building the Joshua Tree set for U2's touring arena show while working as the Projector Director of Tait Towers in Lititz, PA, Project Directing the original T2-3D: Battle Across Time at Universal Studios Florida for Universal Creative (opened 1996), and Project Directing Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Hollywood (opened 2004).
Since 2005, I redefined myself as an artist, collector, facilitator. My success as an artist can be judged on frank-masi.com. I'm proud of the art collection my family and I have assembled. Co-founding Art Reality Studio (ARS) with Brent Imai gave me a second life that I would like to share with you."
Chip Largman
Director
"I began my career as a lighting designer in the early 70’s in NYC, collaborating with some of the leading choreographers of the postmodern era.
In the mid 70’s, I turned to the concert touring industry and traveled throughout the world as a lighting designer/tour manager for pop entertainers such as Olivia Newton John and Bette Midler. In 1983, I served as the Executive in Charge of Production for the Democratic National Convention held in San Francisco. In 1986 I held a similar position for Liberty Weekend: The Statue of Liberty Centennial Celebration.
In 1987, I joined the Universal Creative team, the development arm of Universal Studios. I rapidly moved into an executive role and served as SVP for the regional team at Universal Studios Hollywood.
After 30 years of service, I retired in 2017 and returned to my roots in the dance world serving as a management advisor and production consultant. Furthering my interest in the arts, I joined the Board of ARS in 2018."
Technical and Administrative Advisory Committee
(TAAC)
Lyndon Barrois
Director/Writer/Producer
Motion Picture Industry
Randy Bock
Insurance Broker
Falcon West Insurance Brokers Inc.
Bob Chambers
Executive Producer & Co-CEO
The Producers Group
Sarah Cohen
Development Executive
Nonprofit Management
Peter Kirby
Director/Editor
Media Art Services
Viktoryna Iunovych
Legal Associate
Judy Lee
Spatial Experience Designer & Service Design Strategist
LEEM STUDIO
Jesse McCombs
Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager
Northern Trust
Tom Smith
Vice-President, Senior Trust Officer
Northern Trust
David Martin
Professor of Multimedia
Cal Lutheran University
David Morris
Chief Creative Director
Theme Parks/Location Based Entertainment
Rebecca Morse
Curator, Wallis Annenberg Photography Department
LACMA
Carter Mull
Cultural Attache'
American Artist
Jason Pilarski
Co-Founder
Machine Histories
Nick Ravden
Principal, Senior Client Advisor
Bessemer Trust
Nancy Reimann
Partner
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
Jamie Robertson
Principal
Robertsonics
Ken Salter
Principal
Ken Salter Motioneering KSM
Patrick Shields
Principal
Reliable Scan
Curtis Smith
Connectivity Strategy
Bliss Vector Principal
John von Bergen
Education Advisor/Visual Artist
Frank Weigand
Co-Founder
The TWT Group
