High-Tech and Fine Art: The Philanthropy Link

In her 2002 landmark book Vision and Art: The Biology of Seeing, Harvard Medical School neurobiology professor Margaret S. Livingstone took a hard look at the specific science that underlies art. She maintained that many of the world’s greatest artists knowingly exploited certain elements like perspective, luminance, color mixing, shading and chiaroscuro to provoke discussion and interest.

With that in mind, it seems almost logical that savvy, tech-minded entrepreneurs would naturally be drawn to the world of fine art. While it’s no surprise that many invest in expensive personal collections, there is currently a shift to philanthropic art-based investments and grants that are starting to further link high-tech with art.

Take Mouli Cohen, Ecast and Voltage Capital founder. With Ecast a digital jukebox company and Voltage Capital a technology and biotechnology-focused venture capital firm, Cohen has become an authority in multiple industries. And while his start-ups have generated well over $3B in shareholder value, it is his philanthropic endeavors, especially in the arts, that show the importance of a more intangible side of charity.

“I particularly find the art of the 20th Century masters a fantastic study in line, color and emotion,” Cohen says. “Miro, Picasso, Matisse and Calder make up a class that has attracted my attention and investment. Not only do the intellectual aspects of their work hold importance for me, but as you consider the neurobiology of human sight and perception, and how their art is processed by our visual systems, you'll gain an even greater understanding and appreciation of their work.”

This fascination with art has led Cohen to invest heavily in California’s public art programs. A former resident of San Francisco, he has donated funds and gifted grants to organizations including the Oakland School for the Arts, the Asian Art Museum, the SF MoMA, the deYoung Museum and the Legion of Honor.

At the deYoung, Cohen’s contribution goes directly to a younger generation of would-be art lovers. “Working in conjunction with Didi Wilsey and Harry Parker, my grant enhances a unique educational program that supports art and cultural history in California's public schools with exciting classroom materials that directly link the museum's collections with the public school curriculum,” Cohen explains.

So why wouldn’t Cohen, who is so intimately involved in high-tech innovation, concentrate more on science-based contributions for students? Ultimately, he feels that art’s powerful combination of visual interest and emotional investment can lead to a type of creativity that is good for both humanity and business.

“I wholeheartedly support a mission of leading a diverse global audience in discovering the unique material, aesthetic, and intellectual achievements of different cultures and the ways they are able to express themselves,” Cohen says. “Especially in a time of economic crisis, when art programs are routinely cut, I want to make sure that innovation and creativity are nurtured as much as possible. Business and science will also benefit in the long run.”

Other forms of creative expression are not far behind. To this end, Cohen has become involved with the Russian Arts Foundation to fund conductor Carlo Ponti’s debut disc with the world renowned Russian National Orchestra (RNO), to be released December 2nd on PentaTone Classics.

The recording was underwritten by Cohen and his wife Stacy, both longtime fans of Ponti. ”The connection between classical music, culture, and society is a powerful one,” Cohen says. ”We made our first gift to the Russian Arts Foundation several years ago, when we underwrote a concert that offered underprivileged children the opportunity to experience the RNO conducted by the incredible Carlo Ponti. We are proud to be able to make Maestro Ponti’s first recording possible, and to once again share such magnificent music with the world.”

Cohen, a lightning rod for innovation in many different fields, frequently cites one of his favorite artists, Matisse, with a simple quote: “Nothing can ever be taken for granted; you always have to fight against the easy pencil stroke.” Equally true in both art and science.