ABOUT – Atay Ilgun

pHOTO: SAMUEL CAPPS, GOSSAMER FOG [LONDON, 2024]

Atay Ilgun is a London-based artist, creative technologist, and curator whose work bridges AI, web3, event curation, live shows and experimental art. With a background spanning art direction, publishing, virtual design, and pioneering software development, he’s a multimedia powerhouse.

This practice revolves around reality systems, experimental use cases of artificial intelligence, crypto, internet lore, and art raves.
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He is a former lecturer in Interactive Arts, Machine Learning, Algorithmic Design, and Multimedia Design, Ilgun is also the founder and designer of Wounded Wolf Press, a UK-based publishing house. His early innovations in generative AI and web3 programming led to the creation of one of the first AI-generated NFT artworks, as well as groundbreaking projects in token-gated content and metaverse music performances. His work has been widely collected, exhibited globally, and featured in major publications such as The Definitive Timeline of Early NFTs on Ethereum.

Ilgun has collaborated with leading tech companies, including Google and OpenAI, testing AI models and participating in the exclusive early artist program for DALL·E 2.

For the past three years, he has curated at IKLECTIK, a prominent London-based art space, while also taking executive roles in multiple international projects. As a recipient of British Council funding, he has exhibited in galleries across London, curated for NFT Biennial, and worked with DAOs such as ArtSect on both operational and curatorial levels. He was a featured artist on OpenSea, contributed to NFT London and took part in various NFT related panels. His collaborations extend to tech companies like Moth Quantum, XLR8R (where his collection sold out), and research programs at institutions including Sorbonne Université, University of Washington, University of the Arts London, Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences, and Hochschule für Musik und Theater München. His work has been widely covered in The Wire, Crack Magazine, FACT, Resonance FM, MTV, CLOT Magazine, and BBC.

Beyond his visual and technological pursuits, Ilgun is also an internationally acclaimed musician and a Creative Europe-funded SHAPE Platform alumnus, known for his dynamic performances spanning experimental and club-oriented projects. He has led workshops and panels at festivals such as Sonar +D, lectured at institutions like Swansea University, and contributed to UAL [CCI]’s Responsible AI events.

His most active project, ENGLAND’S COUNCIL OF LEGISLATION AND GOVERNING BODY OF HYPER REAL SIMULATIONS AND CONSTRUCTS (a.k.a. ecolagbohrac2021), functions as both a multimedia art initiative and a curatorial platform. It explores mythic narratives within the digital psyche and our evolving perception of reality, spanning club-focused performances, cutting-edge AI art, and web3 experiments. His latest album, EUPHORIA, was released by Most Dismal Swamp in 2023, with a live album recorded at the legendary Cafe OTO.