b. 1982 in London, UK
Currently based in London, British-Colombian artist Matthew Plummer-Fernandez produces altered data-files and distorted 3D printed objects as “remixed” abstract artworks of geometric beauty. Customized software, replicability and generative techniques are the focus of his exploration of the automated systems that operate within digital culture and the physical world. Mainly, his artistic practice embraces the serendipity of digital glitch both as a playful and challenging reinterpretation of imperfection as added aesthetic value, and as a means of reflecting political views on free software applications and copyright protected artifacts.
His investigations of how advances in digital technology extensively transform our relationships with physical everyday items has widely developed through projects such as the Digital Natives sculpture series (2012), and Disarming Corruptor, a free software application that corrupts and encrypts 3D files beyond recognition. The application allows authorized users to reverse the process, reveal and share the file’s original and true nature. Awarded with a Distinction at Ars Electronica 2014, the application has provoked a compelling critical debate on file sharing censorship and potential intellectual property claims, as well as the emerging concern for the 3D printing and sharing of illegal items.
Plummer-Fernandez is also the creator of Novice Art Blogger, a tumblr bot based on Deep Learning algorithms developed by scientists at the University of Toronto for analyzing and reviewing art. The project, lunched in January 2015 has now reached over 10.000 followers and has become the starting point for a practice-based PhD funded by the AHRC at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he has worked as a research associate technologist and visiting tutor.
His work has been commissioned by Rhizome, Arts Co, It’s Nice That, and Selfridges. He has shown in galleries and museums worldwide, including Musée d’Art Contemporain de Montréal; Onassis Cultural Centre, Athens; Cyberarts / Ars Electronica, Linz; The Barbican, London; Brighton Digital Festival and FACT Liverpool. Plummer-Fernandez gives regular talks at conferences and leading festivals such as Future Everything, Manchester; Transmediale, Berlin; and Bartlett School of Architecture, London. His work has been featured in Forbes, The Guardian, Wired UK, Dazed and Confused, Dezeen and many other publications. Matthew Plummer Fernandez received his MA from the Royal College of Art in 2009, after studies in Graphic Design and a Beng in Computer-Aided Mechanical Engineering at Kings College London.
