Melvin Moti

Scientific research, alongside high and mass culture, as well as the processes of cultural production in contemporary society, are pivotal in Melvin Moti's work. His practice spans films, books, objects, and drawings, exploring the power of human imagination and abstraction.

Biography of Melvin Moti

Melvin Moti was born in 1977 in Rotterdam. He studied at the Academie Voor Beeldende Vorming in Tilburg (1995-1999) and De Atelier in Amsterdam (1999-2001). 

The artist received the ABN AMRO Art Prize in 2015, the Ars Viva Prize 12/13, the Charlotte Köhler Award, the J.C. Van Lanchot Award, the Karl-Ströher Award, and the Dolf Henkes Award. He most recently participated in the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR).

His solo exhibitions were held at Meyer Riegger in Berlin, Art Sonje Center in Seoul, Gallery LVS in Seoul, Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, Contemporary Art Cente in Vilnius, Fotogalleriet in Oslo, Fondazione Galleria Civica in Trento, and many more. 

Melvin Moti has participated in group showcases, including the 34th São Paulo Biennial (2020), the 16th Istanbul Biennial (2019), the 55th Biennale di Venezia (2013), the 5th Berlin Biennial (2008), among others. 

Melvin Moti's Art Style

In his earlier works, Melvin Moti explores diverse themes such as memory, perception, and the representation of the fourth dimension. For instance, in "No Show" (2004), he offers a guided tour of the empty rooms of the Hermitage through memory. "The Prisoner’s Cinema" (2008) delves into the human ability to perceive images in total darkness, while "The Eightfold Dot" (2013) tackles the representation of the fourth dimension.

Moti's practice extends beyond mere representation to encapsulate obscure anecdotes, incidents, and individuals—what he terms "black holes"—that he believes have been overlooked by official history. In his film works, always shot in 35mm format, he probes how scientific and historical processes shape our visual culture.