Matteo Ferretti

Since 2008 my artistic research is called Brain Thinking Energy.
My artworks are centered around a stylized icon shaped after a human brain.
These are carved out of most materials, from steel to glass, from plastic to wood.
My signature pieces involve the use of silicon cells, the main component of solar panels, which get applied over the brain shapes. Such brains undergo painting procedures with acrylic or water spray colours.
In fact, solar cells and solid materials replacing canvas is the main feature of my artistic style.
Though a decade of work, I have used the Brain icon as the base for artistic performances, sculptures and installations.
I have created such icon as a symbol of interconnection between the energy of man and that of nature.
Ever since 2008 I was able to present Brain Thinkg Energy’s expression on both a national and international stage, from Biennale di Venezia to Beijing International Biennale, from Cavaciuti Gallery in Milan to quiroz Gallery in Miami with one-man exhibition.
I was able to do so, I think, as this is the right moment in history to develop such a research - which in truth has always been pertinent to my view of art itself, even before developing the Brain icon.
Not by coincidence, these last years have seen several sectors of human endeavours and reflections move toward an ethical approach to environment, and eco-sustainable stances in regard to industrial production - more and more prone to preservation, education and awareness.

Bio

MF was born in Parma in 1976. He graduated from the Art Institute in the same city. Since 2000 he has exhibited in several national and international galleries and worked in cities like Paris, Berlin, Miami, Sao Paulo, Moscow and Dubai. He worked for three years with the Louis Vuitton in the project "Moai travel of light" and also exhibited at the Fondazione Stelline in Milan.
He participated in the 51° and 53° Biennale di Venezia with artist Marco Nereo Rotelli. In 2008 founded a research around the concept of the Brain and Brainhaus Project. At the beginning Brain was a visual and conceptual artistic research based on the stylization of a human brain covered by silicon cells , the same material of the photovoltaic panels. Subsequently Brainhaus’ aim become to seek creative connections between artistic expression, technological solutions and social gain.

This research has brought Ferretti to the 2010 Beijing International Art Biennale and in 2013 to "New narrative for Europe", an UE Commission congress where President Barroso gathered artists, intellectuals and scientists to debate on the future of Europe at large.
In the 2014 establish Brainhaus Project Limited in London.
Lives and works in Parma, London and Dubai.

curriculum vitae

curriculum vitae

PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS

1999
Vinzentz – laboratory with the “Henkel” group – Dusseldorf.
FDP, Liberal Party Headquarters, Berlin.

2002
San Lodovico Church - Parma.
San Giovanni Cloisters - Parma.
Carrugated fair - Paris.

2004
“The splendid light”, Triangolo Gallery - Cremona.

2005
“Theme A.3, The vain effort” Stelline Foundation - Milan.
“The sea in Milan” Bicocca University - Milan.
“Island of poetry” Palazzo Correr - Venice.

2006
“Isola men ti” Vanna Casati Gallery - Bergamo.
“Poetically” Palazzetto San Vitale - Parma.

2007
Triangolo Gallery - Cremona.

2008
“Geographies” - Observatory of the Arts. Florence, Otel Ristotheatre - Euterpe and Bacchus room.
“Corporale” - Creative Council - Milan.

2009
“Lights at the edge” Quiroz 108 Gallery Wynwood Art District, Miami - USA.
“Brain #1 Energy that thinks” Presentation - Boscolo Exedra - Milan.

2010
“Brain#2 Thought that evolves”. Cavaciuti Gallery, Milan.

COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS

2002
“Postumia Youth Biennial” - Mantova.
“Image and Science” Organized by the CNRS - Paris.

2003
“Peace and Love” Fortress of the Sea, Palmaria Island – La Spezia.
Biennial of contemporary art - Firenze.

2004
“Doing so as not to stop dreaming” Spazio Solforino 31 - Milano.
“Periplus of the Mediterranean” Fortezza del Mare, Palmaria Island – La Spezia.
Santa Giulia Academy - Brescia.

2005
“Island of poetry” a special project by Marco Nereo Rotelli - 51st Biennale di Venezia.
“Island of Poetry” Il Triangolo Gallery - Cremona.
“Island of Poetry” Video installation, Spazio Krizia - Milano.

2008
“Artour-o” Grand Hotel Minerva - Firenze.
“Artour-o” in China. International culture hall, Yiwu – Shanghai China.
“Speed in Art” Art life for the world Gallery - Venezia.
“Cumulus seminar” Design Olympics and harmony, Museum art gallery Jinan - China.
“Formule” 1st international art biennale. Sabbioneta - Mantova.

2009
“Artour-o” Grand Hotel Minerva - Firenze.
“Charter of Light” The longest poem in the world. Performance at the 53rd Biennale di Venezia – A project by Marco Nereo Rotelli.

2010
“Stemperando” Edited by Giovanna Barbera, sponsored by the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities. National Libraries of Torino, Cosenza and Roma.
“IV Beijing Biennale” National Art Museum of China - Beijing - China.
“Theatrical orbit - East towards West” – performance with Marco Nereo Rotelli, Piazzetta Reale, Milano.

2011
“Fluendo Verso” by Marco Nereo Rotelli. Ca' Pesaro - Venezia. Direction of the video “To Flow towards... the light”.
“Noto, garden of beauty” by Marco Nereo Rotelli. Interactive performance “You are the brain project”. Noto - Siracusa.

2013
"New narrative for Europe" Invited to participate in a congress organized by the EU to debate the artistic and cultural future of Europe.

2024
Art Expo Genoa.
“Abstract Alphabet”.
AAIE CENTER for CONTEMPORARY ART - Roma.
Museum of Color Pigments - Santa Teresa dei Maschi Art Center, Bari.
Palazzo dell'Emiciclo, Presidency of the Regional Council of Abruzzo - L'Aquila.
Palazzo Bellini – Firenze.
“7 artists for 7 colors” Azimut Group headquarters – Milano.
"Profusion of Colors" Participation at the group exhibition.
“DREAMS” Part Crowd Art Gallery – Toronto (Canada).
“New Wave”: Artists to Watch in 2024/2025 - BROUHAHAART Gallery - Hong Kong.
“Art Basel Paris” with Galerie Agnes Nord – Paris – digital expo by ARTBOXY - Zurigo.

PROJECTS

2008 – 2009
“Moai travel of light” a project in collaboration with Louis Vuitton and Easter Island between art and culture Rapa Nui – Paris/Easter Island.

2012 – 2013
Research and development of the “Brain thinking energy” project. Founder of Brainhaus Project Limited – London - UK.

2014 – 2015
“Brain for Favela” a project presented at SESC Cultural Pompeia for on-site exhibition and installation in the Erundina favela of Sao Paulo – Brazil.

2016 – 2017
“Brain personal expo” a project presented at the Kraft-Pavlova Foundation - Moscow - Russia.

2018 – 2019
“Plasma Brain” project for the installation and opening performance presented at Expo 2020 Dubai – UAE.

PRIZES

Biennial of young artists Mandarina Duck - (2nd prize).
Young Palmaria - (1st prize).
Arts Award-Culture Award, XX edition 2008 - Emerging Artist.
“International Empowerment Award 2010” - awarded to the winners an “E!Brain” work.
“Artio Gallery Prize” Toronto (Canada) digital exhibition selection 2024.
“Yicca Prize” 2024.
“Profusion of Colors" A.E. Corner - Gallery of Tirano (SO) - digital exhibition selection 2024.
"8th COLOR" competition – Teraverna Gallery L.A (USA) - honorable mention award - 2024.

PRESS

Periodicals
La Repubblica, Il Giornale, Corriere della Sera, Il Giorno, Il Resto del Carlino, Gazzetta di Parma, il Nuovo Giornale (PC), Malacoda (PR), La Provincia (CR).

Magazines
Panorama, Gentleman, Artein, Uno di Noi, Wynwood art magazine.

Television stations
TV Parma, Teleducato (PR), Telelombardia, regional Tg3.

Main websites
Il Sole 24 Ore, Culturalweb, Artfaq, Libero.it Exibart, Teknemedi, Kataweb.Corriere.it.

Social Networks
Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube.

ART WEBSITES
Saatchiart
Peggy
Artboxy