Born: 1992 Cesena, Italy
Year of Migration to the UK: 2011
Biography
Artist Matteo Zamagni was born in Cesena, Italy, in 1992. Immersed in artistic pursuits from a young age, he transitioned from fine arts to photography and digital manipulation. Aged 19, he moved to London, where he began experimenting with motion graphics, marking a pivotal evolution in his creative journey. Immersing himself in Hackney Wick’s vibrant artistic community, Zamagni was deeply influenced by the environment and his collaboration with renowned artist Quayola, which introduced him to real-time generative and procedural art. This shift steered him towards dynamic, technology-integrated works. Zamagni’s practice spans multimedia installations, visual arts, film production, and electronic music. He combines emerging technologies such as AR/VR, photogrammetry, physics simulations, and procedural workflows to create immersive experiences that critically explore environmental, economic, and social challenges. His works depict intricate continuums of natural and man-made phenomena, urging viewers to reconsider humanity’s relationship with nature.
A recurring theme is the juxtaposition of humanity’s technological advances with their impact on the natural world. Fractals, representing infinite complexity derived from simple formulas, play a key role, symbolising the interconnectedness of natural and artificial forms. This fascination extends into his research on the presence of fractals in nature, thought patterns, and cultural structures. His interest in indigenous cultures and their symbiotic relationship with the environment has inspired projects such as Refracted Bodies (2023). This immersive exhibition blended virtual reality with real-world objects to explore sustainability through the lens of indigenous ethics. He has stated, 'I’ve been fascinated by their harmonious relationship with the biosphere. This project imagines a future where such ethics guide modern civilisation’ (Clot Magazine 2023). By juxtaposing relics of industrial excess with ecological and spiritual elements, Zamagni urged audiences to envision a more balanced relationship with nature. His 2018 short film, Horror Vacui, mixes aesthetic innovation with conceptual depth, juxtaposing natural landscapes with urban sprawl to critique humanity’s exploitation of resources. Using computer-aided imagery, the film blurs the line between reality and illusion, evoking dystopian unease and earning critical acclaim for its intricate design and exploration of humanity's impact on the planet.
In 2019, Zamagni presented Crepuscolo, his first UK solo exhibition, at Anise Gallery in London. This landmark show explored the interplay between humanity and the natural world, highlighting the profound impact of human activity on geological growth and environmental degradation. Featuring kaleidoscopic visions of industrial and natural instability, the exhibition underscored the looming threat of ecological collapse, presenting a stark reflection on the fragility of Earth's ecosystems. Another milestone was Zamagni’s participation in Fish Island Labs, a residency in Hackney Wick, in collaboration with the Barbican Centre and The Trampery, where he debuted Nature Abstraction, a VR installation blending analogue and digital techniques to immerse viewers in a world of 3D fractals inspired by biological and architectural forms. This was subsequently screened at Tate Modern and other venues (2015-16). Featuring a projection-mapped cube, macro photography, and Oculus Rift technology, the installation challenged perceptions of reality, while revealing hidden connections between human activity and natural systems through innovative tools, like LIDAR scans and photogrammetry.
His use of real-world objects—from scrap metals to organic materials—grounds his works in tangible reality, while facilitating a dialogue between the physical and virtual worlds. Found objects, often discarded and considered worthless, play a pivotal role in his installations, symbolising waste and the consequences of consumerism. Zamagni often focusses his work on the Anthropocene, the era in which human activity has irrevocably impacted Earth’s ecosystems. Through projects addressing environmental degradation, he critiques overconsumption, pollution, and the illusion of freedom in the digital age. His Kinect-enabled installations, for instance, respond to viewer movements, illustrating humanity’s direct influence on the environment.
The artist’s ability to navigate between conceptual and technical realms has earned him international recognition. His works challenge viewers to question their perceptions of reality, often exploring the boundaries between the tangible and the artificial. This duality is evident in his approach to VR, where he strives to create highly immersive, sensory-rich experiences that alter the viewer’s understanding of their environment. These installations often incorporate advanced object-detection systems to ensure a seamless and safe interaction, reflecting Zamagni’s meticulous attention to detail. By creating virtual environments informed by indigenous ethics and ecological sustainability, he prompts audiences to consider the potential of a future where harmony with nature takes precedence. His symbolic engravings of native medicinal plants and cosmic constellations highlight the spiritual and ecological wisdom that modern societies often overlook. Looking ahead, Zamagni aims to expand into sculptural practices using eco-materials and procedural design for self-sustaining installations. He also plans to create immersive experiences that challenge sensory perceptions and continue his research into alternative community models, reflecting his commitment to sustainability and equitable solutions. His work is not currently represented in UK public collections.
Related web links
- Anise Gallery
- Arte Laguna Prize Venice
- Artist’s website
- Gazelli Art House
- Insight: ‘Refracted Bodies’, Matteo Zamagni Explores the Connections of Artifice & Reality, Interview by Daniela Silva, Clot Magazine, 21 April 2023
- Interview with Matteo Zamagni in Italian, Pum Factory
- Matteo Zamagni - Talk - Splice Festival 2017
- Matteo Zamagni’s ‘Horror Vacui’, our Dystopian Perception of the World, Interview by Allan Gardner, Clot Magazine, 17 January 2019
- Sammy Nikdel, ‘Photos of Cabbage and Plastic Bags Used to Create Fantastical Alien Landscapes in TSVI Music Video’, Dezeen, 14 February 2015
Selected exhibitions
- Refracted Bodies, solo show, Gazelli Art House, London (2023)
- Thought Experiment, installation, Arebyte Gallery, London (2022–23)
- Crepuscolo, solo show, Anise Gallery, London (2019)
- Visuals for IICON stage, Block9, Glastonbury Festival, Glastonbury (2019)
- Horror Vacui, screening, Encounters Film Festival, Bristol (2018)
- 7th Ray, sensory installation, V&A Digital Futures, London (2018)
- Horror Vacui, screening, Institute of Contemporary Arts, group show, London (2018)
- T&C Apply, installation, Gosshammer Fog, group show, London (2017)
- Terra#1, performance, Art Night – The Garden of Visual Utopias, London (2017)
- Nature Abstraction, screening, Tate Modern, group show, London (2016)
- Nature Abstraction, installation, Gazelli Art House, London (2016)
- Nature Abstraction, installation, Barbican Centre, group show, London (2015)
Ben Uri archive
Consult items in the Ben Uri archive related to [Matteo Zamagni]
Ben Uri library
Publications related to [Matteo Zamagni] in the Ben Uri Library