Matteo Zoccolo

Matteo Zoccolo è un artista socialmente impegnato. Ha frequentato la Libera università di Bolzano e la Bezalel Academy of Design and Arts, Gerusalemme. Attualmente vive e opera per creare comunità sul territorio Biellese.

artist statement:

Matteo Zoccolo is a listener and socially engaged artist. Questioning contemporary notions of participation and experiences of togetherness, he initiates and cares for inclusive physical/immaterial spaces for reflection and mutual exchange, encouraging the formation of horizontal groups, communities and networks using enquiry, active listening and pedagogy as tools. Since 2017 he has carried research and initiated/developed long-term and temporary projects in Jerusalem, Bolzano, Linz and Biella—close to his little Italian village of origin. Constantly reflecting and resonating with his surroundings, his transdisciplinary work embraces uncertainty, vulnerability, fluidity, openness and response-ability. Together with his main practice, which is situated and always happens in the here and now, he also seeks to collaboratively develop and establish new instruments and scales to evaluate the impact of an ongoing participatory process. Whether a collective experience/effort may lead to tangible products (e.g. publications, radio transmissions, performances, exhibitions) or leave nothing but ephemeral traces in some people’s minds, he hopes to participate with small but meaningful actions in a potential shift towards a culture of empathy.