Internationally renowned artist Dan Santoni is known throughout the entertainment industry and around the music world for his unique, cutting edge vision. He creates as a photographer, visual effects animator, and art director and more.
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Dan Santoni’s photography gained him award winning recognition there in the early nineties. His daring work won numerous awards in the Detroit Metro Times, including first place in the Color Category. He also received editorial recognition in The Detroit News, The Detroit Metro Times, and various other publications.
Dan Santoni became heavily involved in the alternative rock music scene in the mid eighties, which greatly influenced his work. In the early nineties, Dan also expanded by producing numerous high end nightclub events.
These widely popular events included top DJs, still and motion picture film screenings, multimedia sculpture exhibitions, and various other artwork shows which took place in venues including the regal Majestic Theatre, The State Theatre, and venue 2036.
In 1994, Dan relocated to Los Angeles to expand his photography in the world of rock and beyond. Delving now heavily into the entertainment field, Dan Santoni has photographed beloved celebrities including rock star Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots, and Velvet Revolver, actress Kelly Hu of Vampire Diaries, Xmen II, and Scorpion King, actress and comedian Margaret Cho, Ogre of industrial rock legends Skinny Puppy, and David Vincent of death metal masters Morbid Angel, and many more.
Santoni’s work has been featured in Guitar Magazine, Imago Magazine, Strings Magazine, Metal Edge, Mix Magazine, Outburn Magazine, Industrial Nation (cover), Gothic Beauty Magazine, Rue Morgue, Marquis Magazine (Germany), and Carpe Noctem among others. His photography and art have been shown in galleries across the United States including; Rebecca Molayem Gallery in Beverly Hills, 2036, Urban Park, Dark’s Art Parlour, Blue Space Gallery, and Echo Gallery in Chicago.
His work in on-set art direction and effects animation can be seen in popular film, television, and music videos around the world. His major credits include work on ‘Life of Pi,’ ‘The Golden Compass,’ ‘The Day After Tomorrow,’ ‘Minority Report,’ ‘The Incredible Hulk,’ ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer,’ ‘Angel,’ and ‘Birds of Prey,’ as well as music videos for Sisqo, DJ Rap, and Ziggy Marley and others.
Dan states that his major goal with his art is “To evoke an element of unsettling beauty in the viewer.” His artistic influences are numerous, including photographers Peter Greenaway, Julie Margaret Cameron, Pierre et Giles, David La Chapelle, Terry Gilliam, David Fincher, and Jean Pierre Jeunet, as well films including ’28 Days Later,’ ‘Fight Club,’ ‘Ed Wood,’ and ‘Hellraiser.’
Dan Santoni’s upcoming projects include shoots with members of the rock band Coal Chamber, and Norwood Fisher of the legendary rock / ska band Fishbone, among others. To see more work by Dan Santoni, visit his official website at: www.DanSantoni.com.
