Marcel Schwittlick is a Berlin-based artist who creates artworks exploring the cybernetic aspects of generative systems and modern technology. His multidisciplinary practice combines digital and analog media to examine the intersection of art, technology, and philosophy. Marcel's works often incorporate generative art, a form of art created using algorithms and computer code. His algorithmic methods and machines generate intricate, geometric patterns that explore the boundaries between chance and intention, control and randomness. Another area of Marcel's practice is plotter art, which involves using vintage plotters to create precise and intricate drawings. In his plotter art, Marcel uses the machine's limitations and quirks to his advantage, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and creating unique works highlighting the interplay between machine and artist. Schwittlick's fascination with plotter art began during his teenage years when he learned about Frieder Nake and Manfred Mohr and started learning Processing, mainly working with lines. Next, he studied computer science and art and media, which helped him build his own algorithmic methods and machines, leading to a DIY plotter. In a recent interview with Mimi Nguyen, he shared his approach to art-making, including his preference for the physicality of paper and his use of plotters in his practice. His latest series, Composition #83, is a departure from his previous works with plotters, with 512 by 512 dots and 262,144 pen plotter hits. The unpredictability of the plotting process adds a unique aspect to the works, even when the artist strives for accuracy. Schwittlick's approach to using randomness in his work has roots in generative art. He uses different aspects of lines he has recorded over the years and filters them based on parameters like entropy or travel distance. He wrote the code in Python, and it's capable of rendering on various machines and papers. The lines are different depending on the mouse used and are hand-drawn but digitally sampled, recorded with enough detail on a 4k screen, and then transformed back onto paper. Schwittlick's plotters are more than just tools for his art, they are an integral part of his creative process. The machines produce unique sounds as they draw, providing a distinctive and enchanting auditory experience that is integral to his work. Marcel's ongoing exploration of digital culture and its impact on society is a vital aspect of his creative vision. He seeks to create alternative means of communication and expression by forging connections between traditional and modern approaches. In 2014, Marcel earned his B.Sc. in Media Computing from HTW Berlin, where he conducted extensive research into the technical properties of digital media. He continues to expand his knowledge and skills as he pursues Art & Media studies at the University of Arts, Berlin.

Photo by Klodie Zengbé
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Solo Exhibitions
- 2023 Despace, Octet, Berlin, Germany
- 2023 SP2, The Long Run, Berlin, Germany
- 2022 Galerie Data, AUTO/GRAPH, Paris, France
- 2022 Bark Gallery Lab, Upward Spiral, Berlin, Germany
- 2019 Erratum Gallery, Feeling Data, Berlin, Germany
Selected Group Exhibitions
- 2023 Expanded Art, Composition #82, Berlin, Germany
- 2023 SP2, Generative Centipede, Berlin, Germany
- 2023 NOTAGALLERY, The Long Run, Upward Spiral, Composition #82, Berlin, Germany
- 2023 Cromwell Place / Verse, Composition #83, London, UK
- 2023 Expanded Art, Composition #82, Berlin, Germany
- 2022 The NFT Gallery / Vertical Crypto Art, Composition #82, London, UK
- 2022 NBX, Upward Spiral, Berlin, Germany
- 2022 Art Basel Tezos booth, Upward Spiral, Basel, Switzerland
- 2022 Verwalterhaus, Upward Spiral, Berlin, Germany
- 2022 Galerija Knifer Group exhibition Osijek, Upward Spiral, Croatia
- 2021 Zeitraumexit, Never change a running system, B-Seite Mannheim, Germany
- 2021 Salve Domino 3 Berlin, Germany
- 2021 Multimedijalni Kulturni Centar Split International Student Biennial | Greatest Hits Split, Upward Spiral, Croatia
- 2021 Espace Croisé Mémoires des autres mondes, Data Totem Roubaix, France
- 2021 Jogja National Museum Spectrum Optica, 4chan vacation Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- 2021 Despace Berlin Metaverse Me, So Intimate Berlin, Germany
- 2020 Future Lab, Art and Design in Education, Shanghai, China, Never Change A Running System
- 2020 Fahrgemeinschaft,Tag der offenen TĂŒr der Haubrok Foundation ,Never Change A Running System, Berlin, Germany
- 2020 Pedalmarkt, Ge-Narrative,Upward Spiral, Berlin, Germany
- 2020 Kunstmatrix, A Moment In Time,Never Change A Running System, Online
- 2020 Athens Digital Art Festival,Techno Tribalism,Never Change A Running System,Online
- 2020 The Wrong.tv,Never Change A Running System,Online
- 2020 Silent Green Kunstquartier,Strange Things,Data Totem,Berlin, Germany
- 2019 SomoS Art House, Unreal Desires, Data Totem, Berlin, Germany
- 2019 Art pavillon Cvijeta Zuzoric, 5th Belgrade International Triennial of Expanded Media,Various video works, Belgrade, Serbia
- 2019 Weserhalle, Auction, Composition #52.139,Berlin, Germany
- 2019 k48, Extension of Free time, Vienna, Austria
- 2018 Jogja National Museum, Art|JOG|11 - Enlightenment, Neurodynamics, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- 2018 Mitte Media Festival, Gallery Fata Morgana | âZKM Connection, 4chan Vacation, Berlin, Germany
- 2018 ENSA Ă©cole nationale supĂ©rieure dâart, Orbis Terrarum, 4chan Vacation, Limoges, France
- 2018 Petersburg Art Space, Cool Kid Over, 4chan Vacation, Berlin, Germany
- 2018 MĂŒhlenhaupthöfe Kreuzberg,Videoart Festival II, 4chan Vacation, Berlin, Germany
- 2018 Mohsen Gallery, TADAEX, Neurodynamics, Tehran, Iran
- 2017 Lacuna Lab, Serious Sparkles - Transmediale Vorspiel,Electronic Chaos Oracle,Berlin, Germany
- 2017 ACUD Ask Something - Transmediale Vorspiel, Letâs sleep on it, shall we?, Berlin, Germany
- 2017 Spektrum, Graphical Sound in Soviet Russia and beyond / Scope Sessions Exhibition / Cybernetic Choreographies / Digital Motion / Composition #37 & Electronic Chaos Oracle, Berlin, Germany
- 2017 Jogja National Museum,ART|JOG|10,So Intimate & Composition #37, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- 2017 Lacuna Lab, Open Studio Exhibition, Electronic Chaos Oracle, Berlin, Germany
- 2017 Green Art Space, Writings of the World,Electronic Chaos Oracle, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- 2017 CCCB, The Influencers - Internet Yami Ichi,Electronic Chaos Oracle, Barcelona, Spain
- 2016 Harwood Museum of Art Permanent Exhibition Taos, Origination Point, New Mexico, USA
- 2016 Richmix, Incloodu Festival, Kima, London, UK
- 2016 Zeitraum Exit, Abstracted Intentions, B-Seite Festival, Mannheim, Germany
- 2016 Spektrum Lacuna Lab Activation Exhibition, Vector Graphics on a Laser & Electronic Chaos Oracle, Berlin, Germany
- 2016 Open Sky Gallery ICC,ISEA1,Berlin Calling,Hong Kong, China
- 2016 School for Poetic Computation, Alt-AI Conference,1+2=3,New York, USA
- 2016 El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe, Currents New Media, Composition #9.6, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
- 2016 Panke Culture Scope, Session Exhibition, Electronic Chaos Oracle, Berlin, Germany
- 2016 Museum Kesselhaus Herzberge, Die Werbung, Composition #37, Berlin, Germany
- 2016 GlogauAir,Retune Festival, Electronic Chaos Oracle Berlin, Germany
- 2015 PabellĂłn Cuba, Bienal de la Habana,Origination Point, Havanna, Cuba
- 2015 Union Chapel, Kima Solo Performance, London, UK
- 2015 Bei Ruth,Versuch einer Arbeitsdarstellung #4, Composition #9.6, Berlin, Germany
- 2015 Spektrum,Geek Market, Generative Engravings, Berlin, Germany
- 2015 Chelsea Space, LIVE, Propeller, London, UK
- 2014 Haus der Kulturen der Welt,Transmediale Afterglow,Artificial Out of Body Experience, Berlin, Germany
- 2014 Lehrter17, Unrender #1 & #2, true/false & Stroke, Berlin, Germany
- 2014 Panke, Bolt #1, Imaging Move & Stroke, Berlin, Germany
- 2014 Phoenix Gallery, The New Sublime, So Intimate, Brighton, UK
- 2014 Kunsthaus Bethanien,The It Show, Diagnosis, Berlin, Germany
- 2013 Lab for Emerging Arts and Performance, Find Your DoppelgÀnger, Berlin, Germany
- 2012 Diversity Art Gallery The Wavement, Berlin, Germany
- 2012 Artchipellago The Wavement, Berlin, Germany
Artist Talks & Workshops
- 2023 Radialsystem, Unchained: KI, Krypto & Kunst, Panel, Berlin, Germany
- 2023 Cromwell Place / Verse, NFT & Metaverse, Panel, London, UK
- 2023 Cromwell Place / Verse, Odysseys, Artist Talk, London, UK
- 2022 A Historical Journey of Art and Technology (Tezos x Art Basel), Panel, Basel, Switzerland
- 2022 Arbitrarily Deterministic, Podcast, Berlin, Germany
- 2019 StÀdelschule SAC, Workshop, Frankfurt, Germany
- 2018 Retune Festival, Panel, Berlin, Germany
- 2018 Greenhouse Art Space, Artist Talk, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- 2017 Yogyakarta University of the Arts, Workshop Generative Composition, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- 2017 SPICED Academy, Artist Talk, Berlin, Germany
- 2017 ZĂŒrich University of the Arts, Artist Talk, ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
- 2016 Scope Sessions, Artist Talk, Berlin, Germany
- 2013 Arte Creative, Video Interview, Berlin, Germany
Awards
- 2016 ISEA, Official Selection Open Sky Gallery, Berlin Calling, Hong Kong, China
Education
- University of Applied Sciences Berlin, Media Computing, 2010-2013, Berlin, Germany
- University of Arts Berlin, Art & Media / Generative Art, 2019 - 2022, Berlin, Germany