Artist, cultural activist and entrepreneur, Marcus Neustetter reflects critically and playfully on his context as a means of inspiring himself and others to identify alternative and innovative opportunities. His strategy has been to pro-actively create, play and experiment, in this he has developed a practice of investigation, reflection and provocation. Neustetter’s pursuit of understanding his environment means that his projects and artworks often exist on the edge of understandable reason and subconscious abstraction. The intention is to present a wide spectrum of possible relationships which access both processes and outcomes. The process driven nature of Neustetter’s work is often collaborative, whereby he artistically dialogues with partners, participants and audiences. This invited participation allows for a social engagement which reveals the process to be just as significant as the final product. The process often becomes an experiential production in its own right.
Fascinated by the fields of communication, networking and interaction at the intersection of art, science and technology, Neustetter explores the resourcefulness of the context in which he finds himself. Through high and low tech experiments he re-contextualizes and repositions his ideas thus attempting to reveal their impact. The result, while often far removed from conventional notions of both the worlds of art or science, do not present final solutions, but in questioning conventions, allude to a process of discovery. This discovery motivates for further experimentation and engagement and, through its open-endedness, allows for growth, new inspiration and new contributions.
Neustetter’s artistic creations play with the above mentioned concepts. They translate information and exchange ideas which allows for an alternative way of thinking and existing within given systems and structures. Experimental in their approach his mediums range from the conceptually driven to mixed-and multi-medias, mobile phones, installations, digital video, photography, web artworks to prints, drawings and temporary light interventions. While often digitally oriented, it is his fascination with analogue processes which allows for a socially focused response to his physical and virtual reality. Often by working ephemerally when investigating systems (functional or dysfunctional), Neustetter is able to manifest alternatives.
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, on the 14 November 1976, Marcus Neustetter attended the Deutsche Schule zu Johannesburg from 1982 to 1994. He read for his Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts at the University of the Witwatersrand, earning his Masters Degree in 2001. During this time he launched sanman (Southern African New Media Art Network).
In the past 10 years Marcus Neustetter has been consistently producing and exhibiting art and, in partnership with Stephen Hobbs, has been active with The Gallery Premises, The Trinity Session and in their collaborative capacity as Hobbs/Neustetter (www.onair.co.za ).
www.marcusneustetter.net
