Jason Snell, IMA ’23: Featured at NYU Shanghai

Originally written up in NYU Shanghai's website

“Can I DJ an entire set telepathically?” Jason Snell asked himself, embarking on an experiment to perform techno set solely through brain waves, no physical touch involved. That’s his philosophy “start with the impossible and work back” in action. The answer to that seemingly impossible question turned out to be “yes”. Snell was able to DJ an hour-long techno set with his mind and went on tour with his performance in 2019.

Snell joined the IMA Low Res program in 2022, bringing with him the pioneering philosophy and decades of experience spanning music, film, installation and artificial intelligence. He graduated in 2023.

Initially enrolling for institutional support and enhanced social credibility, Snell quickly found that the program offered far more. It fostered a close-knit community of creative individuals who have since become his closest collaborators. Communities have always meant the world to Snell, evident in his public art installations. His project Sprites transformed an overlooked city alley in his hometown into a vibrant space with light and sound. By bringing art into everyday spaces, Snell created encounters that don’t require formal gallery visits, thus lowering barriers and inviting people to engage with art as a natural part of their surroundings. “My hometown made me who I am today, so it’s important for me to give back.” Snell was thrilled to join the IMA community, crediting it with giving him the confidence to continually push his work forward. The program’s unique structure, which connects students from multiple cities and encourages collaboration, enabled Snell to build a network of like-minded artists who continue to shape his projects.

Powered by the insightful courses and this loving community, Snell experienced an evolution in his creative format, from a conventional show to a more immersive experience. The process of creating his thesis project, Ecstasy and Dissolution, led him to reflect on a critical component he had previously overlooked: the experience of the audience. "I realized that, while I was immersed in a deep, meditative state, my audience was left standing, merely observing," Snell recalls. This revelation pushed him to redefine the format from a conventional electronic show to something more immersive and inclusive. Instead of asking audiences to passively stand and watch, Snell adapted a sound bath (a meditative experience using soothing sounds to promote relaxation and well-being) format, encouraging participants to lie down, close their eyes, and engage fully with the sounds. This seemingly simple shift in approach opened up a transformative space for the audience, allowing them to experience their own meditative journeys alongside Snell’s.

As an alumnus, Snell has remained actively involved, perhaps even more so, in the IMA Low Res community and the broader NYU network. As he puts it, “This program is for life.”

Upon graduating from the IMA Low Res program, Jason seized the opportunity to join NYU Tandon school’s entrepreneurial incubator. This kept him within NYU’s creative and innovative ecosystem, bridging him into new opportunities. His attachment to the NYU community remained unwavering, ultimately leading him back as a resident in the IMA Low Res program for the winter session in Berlin. Later, this residency opened doors back in New York, where he secured an adjunct instructor role to teach electronic music at the Collaborative Arts Program in NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. This transition to an adjunct faculty role enabled Snell to inspire students while also drawing inspiration from them. His teaching role allowed him to foster a unique collaborative space where his experience in electronic and experimental music complemented the more traditional music backgrounds of his students.

This fusion of new experience and knowledge, complemented by a master’s degree from NYU and the backing of the NYU community, led Snell to pursue artistic ventures with both the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. At the Smithsonian, his “Brainwave Symphony” workshops captivated diverse audiences, resulting in an impressive 25 sessions over just two days. The workshops merged mind, technology, and sound, with participants donning EEG devices (Electroencephalography devices that measure brain activity via sensors on the scalp for medical, research, or wellness purposes) to compose music in real time. Meanwhile, at the Met, he integrated brainwave technology with ancient Buddhist art for educational programming, creating a sensory-rich experience for students. Using the cutting-edge Enophone, a brainwave-enabled headphone, participants both composed and listened to music generated by their brainwaves. "I could never have imagined these experiences in my wildest dreams," Snell exclaims.

Snell’s upcoming project, a brainwave music installation at series of prestigious luxury hotels in Shanghai, was made possible by a team where nearly every member is a former classmate from the IMA and the ITP programs. For this ambitious installation, his team includes classmates working as sound designers, creative technologists, UI/UX developers, and full-stack developers, each playing a crucial role in bringing Snell’s vision to life. “Without the IMA and ITP community, assembling such a talented and cohesive team would have been impossible.” Snell reflects.

Snell emphasizes the lasting impact of these relationships in the IMA Low Res program, describing them as “a deep love across all the cohorts.” He recounted his time volunteering in the summer sessions and connecting deeply with the 2024 cohort. Additionally, Snell notes that he had encouraged friends to join the program, leading some to enroll in the following year’s 2025 cohort. This continuous thread of connection and mentorship created a unique network within the program. “IMA Low Res has always been very different,” he remarks, pointing out how its collaborative spirit distinguishes it from other graduate programs.

Snell continues to push the boundaries of imagination, now with the full support of his IMA family and the broader NYU community. There are still more impossibilities to conquer and more implausibilities to transform into reality.