Internationally recognized as a virtual reality pioneer, Vincent John Vincent specializes in melding art with technology and business. In 1984, Vincent launched his business and his performance career around a dynamic new computer concept. That concept enabled Vincent to play music, dance, and juggle his way around the world in live stage performances, utilizing his patented interactive virtual reality technology in concert with live musicians. Applying artistic creativity to science and technology, Vincent's companies, VIVID GROUP INC. and recently launched JESTERTEK INC., create a variety of innovative virtual reality applications for multiple vertical markets.

Beginning at the University of Waterloo, Vincent combined creative arts and his degree in psychology into an early career working as a psychotherapist, using creativity as a tool for change. U of W's heavy emphasis on computer studies fascinated him and soon he was designing a computer-controlled system to translate dance movements into music.

In 1984, Vincent teamed up with the computer genius of Francis MacDougall and together they invented a revolutionary computer human interface they called the MANDALA® Virtual Reality System. This unencumbered form of VR uses a video gesture analysis and control technology to enable the user to step in front of a video camera and control the on screen computer world without having to wear hold or touch anything. Appearing within the virtual world themselves, the user is able to manipulate the surrounding animation by interactively touching it with their live, real-time video image.

Vincent and Francis became renowned as pioneering interactive computer artist with Mandala VR installations at major art/media venues and events around the world. Vincent used this technology to create a performance medium that would allow him to step into the virtual world to play music on animated virtual instruments, and dance with virtual characters and props, while taking the audience on an audio/video journey. Joining up with bands of real musicians Vincent has performed around the world for over 15 years.

Vincent and Francis also created Vivid Group Inc., a technology company designed to pursue the development and marketing of their new invention. Together they've made Vivid Group one of the largest and most successful VR companies in the world, with over 500 public installations in diverse markets around the globe. www.vividgroup.com.

In 2000, they formed Jestertek Inc. to take their latest revolutionary invention, the next step in machine vision, video gesture control via stereo cameras, to market. www.jestertek.com.

Vivid Group/Jestertek has created and delivered state-of-the-art video gesture controlled applications to a myriad of markets including: Video Conferencing, Art galleries; Location Based Entertainment Facilities, as in Amusement Parks, Family Entertainment Centers, and Arcades; Museums, Science Centers; Halls of Fame; Zoos and Aquariums; Corporate Offices; Retail Locations and Malls; Corporate Promotions and Tours; TV/Film productions; Stage and Theatre productions; Education and Training; Rehabilitation, Disability, and Fitness markets, etc.

As President and Managing Director, Vincent is the driving force behind Vivid Group and Jestertek. On the lecture circuit, as a keynote speaker at numerous multimedia, educational and TV/telecom conferences, Vincent speaks about the future directions of these merging technologies. He has also played a role in promoting the multimedia industry as co-creator, co-producer, and co-executive director of the IDMA (International Digital Media Awards). His community work includes staging solar powered technology events and acting as co-executive producer for the city of Toronto's 25th anniversary Earth Day Concert and Celebration.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS

1992: Vivid chosen for an installation in the Canadian Pavillion at the Seville, Spain World Expo

1993: Vivid chosen for an installation in the Canadian Pavillion and the Korean Government Pavillion at the Soeul South Korea World Expo

1994: Vincent co-creates and co-executive produces the International Digital Media awards.

1995: Vivid creates the world's first immersive VGC VR rehabilitation applications

1999: Vivid creates the world's first VR stereo camera for 3D analysis of VGC.

2002: Vincent is nominated as one of the finalist for the 'Life Time Achievement Award' at the Canadian New Media Awards.
   
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