Márton Nemes’s ‘Techno Zen’ at the 60th Venice Biennale

Hungarian artist Márton Nemes represented Hungary at the 60th International Venice Biennale, which ran from April 20 to November 24, 2024. His immersive, multimedia installation, titled “Techno Zen,” was presented at the Hungarian Pavilion in the Giardini.

About the Artist

Márton Nemes (born 1986 in Székesfehérvár, Hungary) is a multi-media artist currently based in Budapest. His work spans painting, sculpture, installation, sound, and video, exploring abstraction through dynamic material, and form. He received an MFA from Chelsea College of Arts in London in 2018. Marc Straus Gallery held his first solo exhibition in New York in September 2025. He has also exhibited at the Museum Gegenstandsfreier Kunst in Germany and the Ludwig Museum in Budapest, as well as in Hong Kong and Berlin.

‘Techno Zen’ Installation

“Techno Zen” is described as an immersive, painting-based Gesamtkunstwerk, expanding the genre of painting into other media. ArtReview reports that the installation breaks down light and sound frequencies into layers, creating a unified harmony in the central courtyard of the Art Nouveau-designed Hungarian Pavilion. The pavilion, one of the first constructed in the Giardini, is noted for its circular motifs, inviting circumambulation.

The title, “Techno Zen,” reflects the juxtaposition of senses and navigates the intersection between visual, auditory, and sensory experiences, aiming to build a technologically-fueled equilibrium through art. The execution of the installation required significant technological resources and metalworking procedures.

The Hungarian Pavilion

Nemes noted the allure of Venice and its reflection in the architecture of the Hungarian Pavilion. He described Venice as “the city of love – it feels light, fleeting and ethereal,” and acknowledged its delicate balance between land and sea. He also expressed a desire to return to solid ground after prolonged periods in the city.

Curatorial Oversight

The project was curated by Róna Kopeczky.