Country
USA
Premiere
World
Pieces of Pittsburgh is a study of the city’s industrial origins, brought to life through a blend of archival imagery and AI-driven movement. In this work, artist Christopher Ruane examines the evolving boundary between artist and tool. As a photographer and augmented reality developer, Ruane integrates new technologies while remaining committed to the belief that the artist—not the algorithm—must drive the vision. By reinterpreting historical snapshots through the lens of modern AI, the video inhabits the tension of the “almost-real.” It offers a nostalgic look at the city that feels slightly off-kilter, questioning how much of our history we are willing to let technology recreate. The accompanying score was composed using the same methodology, furthering the sense of a past that is nearly within reach, yet perpetually distorted.
New Category – Generative Mixed Media
This category highlights films that fluidly integrate traditional or static media with advanced artificial intelligence tools. Generative Mixed Media honors the filmmaker as a conductor of complex, multi-layered artistry—combining elements like still photography, human-directed editing, VFX, and synthesized AI motion or audio scores. Submissions in this category showcase a seamless synthesis of human editorial vision and algorithmic generation.
Creator – Christopher Rune is an Augmented Reality (AR) artist and photographer from Pittsburgh, PA, who specializes in massive photo and video montages, as well as large-scale AR experiences. His work often focuses on spirituality, history, and the human experience. The complexities of each piece invite close study, revealing inner meanings and unique viewpoints about our culture, the current global climate, and what we believe to be the truth of our origins.
His work has been exhibited in museums and galleries across the United States and selected by notable jurors from MOCA Cleveland, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Carnegie Museum of Art. Christopher has also received awards from distinguished curators such as Linda Benedict-Jones and art historian John T. Spike, past Director of the Florence Biennale.
Most recently, Christopher launched his second Augmented Reality app on the Apple App Store and Google Play. He is a pioneer in the XR space and a leading voice at the intersection of technology and fine art.