Biography

Mamiko Kushida is a pioneering VJ, projection designer, and creative technologist recognized for her expertise in projection mapping and interactive & immersive visual experiences.  Since 2008, she has created visual content and performed live visuals alongside renowned DJs and musicians in New York City, including Black Coffee, Jeff Mills, Frankie Knuckles, and Busta Rhymes, to name just a few.

 

She has also performed at some of NYC’s most iconic venues. In 2016, she was the opening act for New Order at a sold-out show at Radio City Music Hall. In 2018, she made history as the first-ever VJ to perform at the Apollo Theater and also appeared at Central Park's Rumsey Playfield. In 2024, her visuals were showcased on the LED billboard in Times Square, further cementing her presence in the city’s cultural landscape.

 

With a foundation in live visual performance as VJ Mamiko, she brings extensive experience designing visual environments for concerts, music festivals, and live events. Her practice has since evolved toward larger-scale productions, encompassing projection design, immersive experiences, and multimedia environments for theaters, global brands, cultural institutions, hospitality, entertainment venues and other internationally recognized clients.

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In 2014, Mamiko expanded her artistic expression into projection mapping, creating dynamic visual experiences for a wide range of events and performances. That same year, a music video she created projection mapping for, the post punk band ZZZ’s, was nominated for the Berlin Music Video Awards. In 2015, she developed projection mapping for the Australia-based men’s fashion brand ZANEROBE 's pop up store in SoHo Manhattan. She has also designed projection-mapped stages for theatrical productions at venues such as Queens Theatre, Jamaica Performing Arts Center, and National Sawdust, transforming traditional musicals, operas, and classical music performances with innovative visual storytelling.

 

Her expertise has extended to high-profile projects, including creating projection mapping for Questlove’s TV interview in 2021 and for Lady Gaga’s costume exhibit (Mayhem museum in Brooklyn) in 2025, further solidifying her reputation as a visionary in digital art and immersive media.

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Embracing the digital evolution of live performances, Mamiko began creating virtual and interactive visual experiences in 2020. She collaborates with NYC nightlife icon Jonathan Peters to produce xR (extended reality) live-streamed performances that redefine immersive multimedia art. In 2023, she created visual content for the NFT artist Shilly’s groundbreaking live performance, which was held simultaneously at a physical venue with large-scale 360° projection mapping and in the metaverse, pushing the boundaries of physical and virtual performance art.

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Beyond her professional projects, Mamiko is also dedicated to education. From 2017 to 2019, she taught multimedia art to performing arts students at St. John’s Preparatory School in Queens, NY, covering topics such as projection mapping, graphic design, and animation for stage applications. Mamiko was also invited by the Apollo Theater to speak as a panelist for a discussion on “Visual Arts in Entertainment.” She continues to inspire younger generations through both her work and mentorship.

 

Today, Mamiko continues to innovate in projection mapping and immersive visual experiences, crafting mesmerizing, interactive visuals that transform spaces and captivate audiences worldwide.