Artist Profile
Wired for Thought
With pieces that are highly inspirational and resourceful, tech artist Mark Dotzler creates commentary on the technological revolution.
BY
Brandi Wills
PHOTOGRAPHY
Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton

“My work blends a love of minimalism with my deep interest in technology and the dramatic societal impact it is having.”

Heavy Metal
A number of Mark’s pieces are currently on display at Washington University’s downtown art and living facility, University Lofts. Visit www.markdotzler.com for more info.
“Learning to work with metal is one of the hardest things I’ve done,” says artist Mark Dotzler, as he examines and contemplates the pieces displayed in his studio. This statement holds a lot of weight when you consider Mark’s past. Born and raised in St. Louis, Mark spent many years in the business field living and working in cities around the world, including San Francisco and Hong Kong. Upon returning to St. Louis, Mark got involved with the City’s redevelopment mission and rehabilitated some of the major historic buildings in the area.

So how did a world traveler and development executive end up as an artist, working in a Washington Avenue studio? “I was simply dissatisfied with the business world,” Mark says. “I wanted to do something good. I wanted to create something that would last, that would make people think about the world around them.” He spent 10 years working with architects, craftsmen and other artists to hone his skills in high-end fabrication. Mark found his materials of choice in metal and technological equipment. “The 21st century is the beginning of the digital revolution,” he says, “and the materials I use impact the lives of people around the world.” From hard drives and silicon wafers to the simplicity of antennas and electrical wire, Mark’s sculptures transform everyday materials into works of art, inspiring his audience to consider their abundance and role in our society. “Art is about playing,” he says, “but it’s about inspiring others, too. These are conceptual pieces that ask you to think about the evolution of art, to look into the future and ask ‘what’s next?’”

Complex and stunning, each piece meshes beauty with brains. “I would describe the art I create as techie art. It has an elegant, cool look with a touch of digital fantasy…however you want to describe it, it’s unlike anything you’re used to seeing.”