Arshia Sobhan Sarbandi

Arshia Sobhan Sarbandi, an interdisciplinary researcher and artist, is currently a PhD student in the School of Interactive Arts and Technology at Simon Fraser University, where he works under the supervision of Professor Philippe Pasquier in the Metacreation Lab for Creative AI. Earning a Master of Design in Digital Futures from OCAD University, Arshia distinguished himself with the prestigious "OCAD University Medal and President's Award" for his thesis project, which probed the potentialities of Islamic calligraphy in relation to Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs).

Arshia's research concentrates on the application and adaptation of Artificial Intelligence-based generative systems to calligraphic Arabic script, primarily employing a research-creation methodology. This interdisciplinary investigation fosters innovative forms of creative expression, leveraging the capacities of AI generative systems to reshape and reimagine the digital creation of Arabic script. The outcomes of his work mainly manifest in the form of artistic creations. His research-driven works have been part of several international exhibitions, including the city-wide BigArtTO exhibition (Toronto, 2021), the biennial Tasmeem conference (Doha, 2022), and the Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition conference (Vancouver, 2023).

In addition to his academic pursuits, Arshia brings a decade of creative industry experience as a graphic designer, digital creative director, and design manager. Coupled with his formal training in Islamic calligraphy, this background allows him a unique understanding of the visual intricacies of Arabic script, as well as its limitations within digital platforms. The desire to address these issues has been a driving force in his current research, bridging the gap between traditional calligraphy and cutting-edge artificial intelligence. His work stands at the intersection of art, technology, and cultural heritage, offering novel insights into the possibilities of creative expression for Arabic script.