Marnix de Nijs

Marnix de Nijs is a Rotterdam-based installation artist. He graduated as a sculptor in 1992 and initially focused his career on sculpture, public space, and architecture. Since the mid-1990s, he has been a pioneer in exploring the experimental use of media and technology in art. Driven by the belief that technology serves as a catalyst for cultural change and can create new experiences that challenge societal habits and communication, his work thrives on the creative possibilities offered by new media while critically examining their impact on contemporary society and human perception.

The interface between the body and technology is a foundational aspect of Marnix de Nijs’s work, where technology merges with the body to become a co-determiner of perception. This perception encompasses not only the interpretation of external stimuli by the five senses but also the internal sensations informed by one's muscles and nerves, known as proprioception. By engaging the entire body, De Nijs transforms observers from mere spectators into active participants, facilitating an immersive experience through his installations. In a technological culture characterized by constant change, individuals must continually adapt, a process that can lead to cultural-pathological anomalies, as evidenced by early travelers acclimating to trains and airplanes. De Nijs artfully translates these cultural processes into his artistic form.

De Nijs's works have been widely exhibited at international art institutions, museums, and festivals. He won the Art Future Award (Taipei 2000) and received honorable mentions at the Transmediale Award (Berlin 2000), the Vida 5.0 Award (Madrid 2002), and the Prix Ars Electronica (Linz 2013, 2005 & 2001). In 2005, he was honored with the prestigious Dutch Witteveen & Bos Art and Technology Prize for his entire oeuvre.