# Tristan 'Z' Zand

Tristan Zand is a Swiss and American conceptual artist, experimental photographer, videographer, musician, software developer, and physician specializing in radiology and medical informatics. His multidisciplinary practice combines analog and digital media, artificial intelligence (AI), and distributed networks to explore human experiences, sensory perception, and creative interactions between technology and humanity. Zand divides his professional life between Switzerland, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Iceland.

## Biography

Tristan Zand grew up between Switzerland and the San Francisco Bay Area, developing an early passion for electro-acoustics and punk-rock music in the 1980s. His early studies at Calvin Collège in Geneva, Switzerland, and Menlo-Atherton High School in California established his foundation in science and electro-acoustics. Zand continued his education at the University of Geneva, receiving his Swiss Federal Diploma in Medicine (1997) and specialization in Radiology and Pediatric Radiology (2008). He also engaged in a European Science, Society, and Technology master's degree (ESST) at EPFL Lausanne and Maastricht University (1999).

## Career
### Medical and scientific work

As a physician specializing in pediatric radiology and medical informatics, Zand has worked extensively in university hospitals, notably Geneva University Hospitals. His research emphasizes web-based data publication and segmentation for future AI training, pediatric medical imaging, radiation dose optimization, and advanced image-processing protocols to enhance diagnostic quality and patient safety. He has published scientific articles in prominent journals and presented his research at international radiology conferences.
Notable scientific contributions include:
* Pediatric radiology and dose optimization in computed tomography (CT)
* Multimedia e-learning platforms for medical training
* Innovations in medical imaging techniques including EOS imaging and MRI fusion technology

### Multimedia, technology, and media production

Zand has been involved in multimedia production, web development, and software creation since the mid-1990s. He created pioneering internet platforms including Wild.ch (1995), Poinch.ch (2000), and BolinOS (2000–2005)—an open-source web operating system utilized in medical informatics.
He is the founder and CEO of Loopr.net, a live-looping music app available on iOS, and continues to create bespoke software, photographic tools, and apps focusing on image manipulation and music creation.
He is also referred through his writings of 2006-7 to as one of the first to coin and define the meaning of Web 3.0.

### Artistic work and exhibitions

Zand's artistic production combines photography, videography, conceptual art, and AI-driven music. He served as Art Director of the Geneva International Photo Festival.
His artistic production frequently emphasizes digital artifacts, glitches, and creative coding, integrating custom software and AI technologies as tools and conceptual elements. Zand has created bespoke generative AI models for Alias Studio, designed specifically for artistic image generation.

### Music projects

Under his artistic alias DrilX, Zand produces music using AI-driven generative techniques, frequently presenting live performances and digital media installations at festivals and exhibitions. His previous notable music-related projects include:
* Zand-O-Matics (1996): Experimental solo bass and software-based music project.
* The BootyMachine (2006–2009): Collaborative multimedia platform, documented in the book The BootyMachine 2007: 366 Days of Experimental Narration.

### Discography

As DrilX, Zand released several albums:
* AI's Hit (2024)
* Hits Sif Kudecup (2024)
* Cold Tunes For a Dark Supper (2023)
* Sounds Like Two Sounds of Nineteen (2019)

### AI-generated music videos

Zand has produced numerous AI-generated music videos under his DrilX alias, gaining recognition at international film festivals. Notable selections include:
* "Hide the VHS" – Official selection for the 2025 ANIMED Mediterranean Animation Film Festival in Alicante, Spain.
* "Why Wonder" – Official selection for the 2025 Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival and Paradise SHREDition in New York's Lower East Side.
* "Ecoutez La Gaité l'Eté, l'Eté C'est Dédé les Catelles" – Finalist at the 2025 East Village New York Film Festival.
* "Why Wonder" and "Hide the VHS" – Official selections for the 2025 Europe Music Video Awards in Košice, Slovakia.
* "Why Wonder" – Official selection for the 2025 Burano Artificial Intelligence Film Festival (BAIFF) in Venice.

## Artistic philosophy

Zand’s artistic philosophy integrates digital and analog methodologies, advocating for balanced and conscious use of AI and technology. His creative approach seeks to bridge human emotional depth and narrative complexity, viewing digital artifacts and computational techniques as complementary tools to traditional sensory experiences.
His writings and research explore the ethical and philosophical implications of AI technologies, emphasizing the need for responsible integration within artistic and scientific disciplines.