I design and lead research-driven creative programs that explore ritual logic, generative systems, sound art, and poetic computation through lectures, guided experimentation, and collaborative labs.
Formats range from presentations, technical workshops, virtual activities, interactive software, and in-person collaboration.
Have a question? Contact me.
I have collaborated with:
Designed for artists, poets, designers, musicians, and researchers interested in meaningful, culturally grounded creative practices. No prior technical background required.
Programs
My current programs focus on creative, historically grounded topics, and modern technology.
Events:
- Astralab Silk Road Revival
- The Poetry Society of New York
- Culturehub
Creative Systems & Generative Logic
A lecture-lab that situates historical divinatory systems within contemporary generative frameworks, culminating in a guided poetic process that surfaces alternative models of creativity and authorship. Provides participants with conceptual frameworks and experiential tools for structured creative experimentation.
Events:
- SOUND+IMAGE at Art Center
- William and Louis Greaves Seminar
- Black Techno Matters
Sound + Music: Tools and Creative Process
A lecture-lab that provides introductory knowledge and technical guidance on sound-making and music. Provides participants with technical knowledge allowing them to begin digital audio recording and editing.
Selected Engagements
These programs have been commissioned by festivals, universities, and cultural organizations, and are adapted for public audiences, professional cohorts, and research contexts.
Astralab Silk Road Revival
Public Lecture + Lab
Los Angeles, CA
#poetry #ethnograpy #algorithms #history
Algorithms, Ritual Logic, and Poetry
This presentation and workshop explores how ancient divinatory practices functioned as early systems of logic and creativity, and how those ideas continue to shape contemporary algorithmic and generative art.
Through examples ranging from John Cage’s chance-based compositions to Mesoamerican maize divination and historical dice games, participants take part in a guided poetic process that uses randomness and structure as creative tools.
Rather than focusing on personal expression alone, the session emphasizes collective meaning-making and alternative models of authorship.
“Such an incredible experience that will stay with us. Thank you 🙏”
Astralab L.A.
Art Center College of Design
Technical Workshop Series
Pasadena, CA
#music #technology #video
SOUND+IMAGE
This program provided design students with foundational training in digital audio and music editing, framed through principles of design thinking and creative workflow.
Participants explored how sound functions alongside visual and interactive elements through guided technical exercises, with particular relevance to motion design, transmedia, and interactive projects.
“I will be using adobe audition to create my demo reels, and more motion graphic videos. Thank you so much!”
Student
William and Louis Greaves Seminar
Festival
Presentation, Workshop
Philadelphia, PA
#music #technology
Identity and Creating Your Own Music Instrument
The Williams and Louise Greaves Seminar provides thought-provoking discussions and topics to independent filmmakers and artists who often work outside of institutional spaces. I provided a workshop that addressed the topic of sound and music in film and how filmmakers can conduct their own sound design using simple tools and processes.
By looking at the history of black artists and technicians who invented their own sound making processes, I showed how “sound” alters perception and meaning of storytelling and that we have the tools for creating these sonic stories.
The Poetry Society of New York
Public Program
Group Participation
Los Angeles, CA
#poetry #ethnograpy #algorithms #history
Algorithmic Poetry
This online-engagement furthered my research into divinatory rituals and its relationship to creative practices. By analyzing the structure and rules of Palmistry, I presented poets an algorithmic structure for creating poetry.
It revealed a history that some particpants were not familiar with while also showing how we can construct creative rulesets for writing practices.
“Loved this workshop! Lots to think about ✨”
Stevie Trevino, Poet
CultureHub Los Angeles
Public Program
Los Angeles, CA
#virtual #sound #interactive #writing
Collective Verse
Collective Verse is an audio/visual, interactive installation informed by the tradition of Japanese Renga–a tradition in which multiple poets create a single poem.
Collective Verse invites diverse participants and supporters to share their words and language within this moment. With in-person and virtual engagement, it allows participants to understand and discuss shared authorship and writing.
I’ve collaborated with a range of organizations ranging from professional academies, colleges, non-profits, arts organizations, and festivals.
Would you like to learn more? Let’s talk.
About Estevan
Estevan Carlos Benson is a Afro-Latino Interdisciplinary Artist, Creative/Music Technologist, and Educator with ten years experience in teaching creative thinking, design, and technology. His research focuses on ethnography, cultural activities of the Benin region of Western Africa, ancient Mesoamerican traditions, Algorithmic art, and ritual activities.
He has lectured at UC Santa Cruz, USC, Art Center College of Design, and additional institutions.