Marco Donnarumma on New Media Art, Independence, and Critical Technology

In an interview with Artribune, new media artist Marco Donnarumma discusses his practice blending performance, sound, and biotechnology to critique power structures and body limitations. Born in Naples in 1984 and based in Berlin, he argues that artists must critically engage with technology's societal implications, especially as tech monopolies exploit data and vulnerable populations. Donnarumma, who left Italy in 2007, notes that while Italy has a rich media art history, lack of long-term institutional support drives many artists abroad. He advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration over individualistic social media trends, citing his artist group Fronte Vacuo (founded in 2019 with Margherita Pevere and Andrea Familari) as an example. He describes the relationship between new media art and the art market as nearly nonexistent, with market forces softening the medium's critical edges. Donnarumma emphasizes that a sustainable career without market support is possible through perseverance, public funding, and institutional partnerships. He lists key educational programs including Media Arts Cultures, Kunsthochschule für Medien Köln, and Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Reflecting on his own journey from Milan's periphery to international recognition, he values independence from trends and hype. Post-pandemic, he sees growing interest in environmental art, bioart, and caring practices, while criticizing inadequate state support for culture.