It’s all about magic: How artist Mateusz Von Motz has been using his super powers

Every child dreams of achieving the impossible: an ice cream fountain, sleeping in a supermarket, or becoming a superhero. What if I told you these dreams might be closer to reality than you think? Meet Mateusz Von Motz, an artist who has not only discovered his superpowers but is also unafraid to wield them. In a recent interview, Mateusz shared how his journey of magic and creativity has led him to extraordinary places, blending the fantastical with the tangible in ways that captivate and inspire.

Mateusz’s latest works were featured in the gallery/Pop-Up of BAODT, in collaboration with “Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg,” set in the historic Nymphenburg Castle in Munich. He described the experience as surreal, an unexpected yet beautiful manifestation of his magical journey. Exhibiting in such a historically rich location served as a powerful reminder for him to pursue long-held ideas and bring them to life.

From a young age, Mateusz was influenced by sci-fi movies, which shaped his creative vision. Diagnosed later in life with autism spectrum disorder, he likened this discovery to finding a hidden superpower. This realization allowed him to embrace his unique perspective, leading to work that resonates deeply with others.

His creations, often interactive and inspired by elements of sci-fi and fantasy, push the boundaries of traditional art. From pieces that resemble mystical crystals to interactive installations like “Time Traveling for Dummies,” Mateusz’s work invites viewers into new dimensions. Embracing new technologies and ideas, he continues to explore and expand the possibilities of his art, creating a vibrant and ever-evolving microcosmos. For Mateusz Von Motz, magic is not just a concept but a way of life, turning dreams into reality with every new project.

You had some of your new works in the gallery/Pop-Up of BAODT in collaboration with “Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg” some times ago, with the difference that this pop-up was nothing less than in a castle in Munich. Can you talk about the feeling of exhibiting in a place as steeped in history as Nymphenburg Castle?

The idea of exhibiting in a Castle was unreal. I didn't expect this will come up so it was even more beautiful when it happened. But this is the good thing about working with magic :) things just happening. An amazing other project came up and I'm thrilled to work on an idea that was growing in my mind for the last 10 years, the Porcelain Castle is more like a symbol. The Castle is a reminder to keep on ideas that I already had in mind and execute them.

I know you saw a lot of sci-fi movies during your childhood so, if we were to travel back in time, what would we see from the beginning of your life until now, and how has all this influenced your work? Who is Mateusz Von Motz and what does he do?

Whoow. That's an amazing question. For sure there is a lot of development and finding on the journey of life. I was finding myself so many times and still doing it and I am very thankful to the people who went with me true different paths. That helped me to develop another perspective and a better understanding of others and myself. I was diagnosed very late with autism spectrum disorder and this was something like a sci-fi movie - like discovering a magic power that holds also a weakness. That had a huge impact because I stopped trying to fit in and just decided to work with that what I love and what makes me happy. In the end, it occurs that it makes other people happy too.

If I had to choose a character in a game, I would choose the Magic Wizard Alchemist persona. Always creating, designing and searching for ways to upgrade the way. I would say Mateusz von Motz creates Magical objects that make people feel something.

The Mandalorian would say: “this is the way”

Correct me if i’m wrong, but i think your work is very interactive if we think, for example, of the issue of emojis, mirrors, lights, sculptures that often resemble stones that we could find on the moon or mystical crystals. It's the kind of thing you want to touch and nerd to keep hiding your hands in your pockets so you don't fall into temptation. I read that your work “Time Traveling for Dummies” is a kind of “constellation that shows us a path to another dimension” and not only for that, it is clear that you, playfulness and technology are inevitably linked. Now that, in a way, much of this sci-fi you watched as a child has become real, what do you think about new ways of consuming and producing art and how does it fit in with what you does?

Yeah, my work is actually very interactive, just needed to realise that. It was for a while really tricky for me because I couldn’t fit or better say I couldn’t fit my work in the classic arrangement. There are too many different things that made the works and microcosmos so unique and just need another handling. I was raised in a household where energy, multiverses and diverse dimensions were a normal concept. A bit crazy that I needed to wait for so many years for the “Rick & Morty” creators to make this idea mainstream and tangible for a bigger mass of people. All this new technology, new currency new ideas made it possible to expand my artistic work. It's great to discover new possibilities to create. I personally love these possibilities and really enjoy working now. It gives me a lot of freedom to realise my thoughts to a bigger audience. As a kid, I loved puzzle, video games, action figures and drawing and building things. Now I'm doing these things, but in a different dimension and with my own puzzles. All the new technologies break old ways and old habits of thinking, doing and seeing things. I feel this is a new era and I'm thankful to be part of it. I'm Just moving to a new studio in a place where I will have much more tools and possibilities so believe this is just a new amazing start.

Finally, I know it may sound a bit cliche but, why not give up on art?

Imagine there wouldn't be new books, exhibitions, films, music, art or any other beautiful thing people do by using their creativity. Would be a sad world, I guess.

Interview by @lorrainecruzes

Image courtesy of @vonmotz

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