Texas A&M University College of Performance,
Visualization & Fine Arts
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University College of Performance,
Visualization & Fine Arts

LASER Talk Series Continue With Interdisciplinary Discussions At Stark Galleries

The LASER Talk series will continue March 18 at noon at the J. Wayne Stark Galleries in the Memorial Student Center.

Feb. 23, 2026 By Bailey Brown

2 min. read

Two people sit in chairs in a university art gallery. The person on the right is holding a microphone, the person on the left is holding a book. Behind them is a lamp.
Philippe Pasquier, a professor at Simon Fraser University’s School of Interactive Arts and Technology in Canada, sits with Jinsil Hwaryoung Seo, Ph.D., associate dean for research and creative works and director of the Institute for Applied Creativity, for the first Laser Talk on Feb. 18 in the J. Wayne Stark Galleries in the Memorial Student Center. Photo by Igor Kraguljac.

On Feb. 18, the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts marked the return of the Laser Talk Series, with guest speaker Philippe Pasquier, a professor at Simon Fraser University’s School of Interactive Arts and Technology in Canada.

Pasquier discussed research being conducted at the Metacreation Lab for Creative AI, where he serves as director. He works with students on the study of computer-assisted creativity and developing software that interactively generates music and visuals.

In a Q&A session, Pasquier discussed how artificial intelligence is being used in music and art, and its effects on ownership and copyrighted content. He highlighted his research in health and music therapy and described his work in automating visuals that respond to live music.

“The future is generative,” Pasquier said, “and we should harness the power of machines to expand and support our creativity.”

Hosted by the Institute for Applied Creativity, the LASER Talk series will continue March 18 at noon at the J. Wayne Stark Galleries in the Memorial Student Center. Patricia Olynyk, the inaugural director of the Graduate School of Art at Washington University in St. Louis, will discuss how science, technology and institutional systems shape our understanding of the body and the world.

Three people sit in chairs in a university art gallery. The person in the center is speaking into a microphone. Behind the scenes is a lamp, and a projector with the words "Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, NSERC, CRSNG, counseil de recherches en sciences humaines du canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Canada, Conseil des Arts du Canada.”
Philippe Pasquier, a professor at Simon Fraser University’s School of Interactive Arts and Technology in Canada, sits with Jinsil Hwaryoung Seo, Ph.D., associate dean for research and creative works and director of the Institute for Applied Creativity; and Lynn Vartan, D.M.A., associate professor in Music Performance, for the first Laser Talk on Feb. 18 in the J. Wayne Stark Galleries in the Memorial Student Center. Photo by Igor Kraguljac.

Tags Institute for Applied Creativity