Biography
Since 2011, Marcel Rickli (*1986) has been exploring how humanity is fundamentally reshaping the planet through an ongoing series of photographic field studies and conceptual art. As a transdisciplinary artist, his practice examines the interplay between humans and technology, revealing both the mechanisms and absurdities of modern existence. Combining photography and conceptual art, Rickli critically and poetically reflects on humanity’s complex role in the Anthropocene.

Alongside his artistic practice, Rickli works as a commissioned architectural photographer, collaborating with architects, engineering offices, and cultural institutions across Switzerland and beyond.




Education2022–2025  
MA in Transdisciplinary Studies, Zurich University of the Arts

2019
International Summer School of Photography ISSP, Latvia. Workshop with Mathieu Asselin & Sergio Valenzuela Escobedo 

2015
Photodesigner with Advanced Federal Diploma (eidg. dipl. Fotodesigner)

2010–2013
Photodesign Study School of Design, Bern




Solo Shows2023
AEON – Château de Gruyères, Gruyère, Switzerland, AEON
Curated by Filipe dos Santos

2021–2022
Li Shui Photography Festival, Wanxiang Photography Base, Lishui, China, AEON

2021
Belfast Photo Festival, Belfast Exposed, Belfast, United Kingdom, AEON
Curated by Michael Weir & Deirdre Robb

2019–2020
AEON – Coalmine, Winterthur, Switzerland, AEON
Curated by Sascha Renner




Group Shows (Selection)
2026
Swiss Design Awards, Messe Basel, Switzerland, CLYMERA Inc.

2026
Tschernobyl, Stadthaus Ulm, Germany, AEON
Curated by Volker Kreidler

2025
REFRESH Festival – Futures of Uncertainties, Zurich University of the Arts, Zurich, Switzerland, CLYMERA Inc.
Curated by Maike Thies

2025

Converging Waters – Kumo, Kawa, Kōri, World Expo Osaka 25, Swissnex Exhibition Space, Osaka, Japan, CLYMERA Inc.
Curated by Irène Hediger & Flurin Fischer

2025
ZAR – Graduation Show, Kunstraum, Zurich University of the Arts Zurich, Switzerland, CLYMERA Inc

2025
DA-Z (Digital Arts Festival Zürich), ENTITY

2023
FOTODOKS, Festival für aktuelle Dokumentarfotografie, Lothringer 13 Halle, Munich, Germany, AEON  

2022
Coups de coeur, IPFO Haus der Fotografie, Olten, Switzerland, LAUSITZER BRAUNKOHLEREVIER
Curated by Ferit Kuyas

2022
The Nuclear Spike, So-Da Art Space, Hotel Limmathof, Zurich, Switzerland, (Isobath Collective), THE NUCLEAR SPIKE  

2021

Photofairs Shanghai, Insights Exhibition, Shanghai Exhibition Center, China, AEON
Curated by Yining He

2021
Format Festival, Derby, United Kingdom, AEON

2021
Prix Photoforum 2020, Photoforum Pasquart, Biel, Switzerland, AEON

2020
Athens Photo Festival, Benaki Museum, Athens, Greece, AEON

2020
Month of Photography, Minsk, Belarus, AEON

2020
Fotofestiwal Łódz, Open Program 2020, Art Inkubator, Lodz, Poland, AEON

2018–2019
Prix Photoforum 2018, Photoforum Pasquart, Biel, Switzerland, AMBIVALENT

2016
Swiss Photo Award 16, (the selection), Photobastei 2.0, Zurich, Switzerland, KIRUNA

2015
MM Edition, Galerie Muster-Meier, Bern, Switzerland, WHITEOUT
Curated by Kevin Muster

2015
Prix Photobastei 15, Photobastei 2.0, Zurich, Switzerland, LAUSITZER BRAUNKOHLEREVIER

2015
Zeitzeiger - Verwandlungen antiker Bildwelten, Bromer Art Collection, Roggwil, Switzerland, ABSENCE
Curated by Kevin Muster

2014
Textbau - Schweizer Architektur zur Diskussion, S AM Schweizerisches Architekturmuseum, Basel, Switzerland




Awards & Nominations2026
Nominated for Swiss Design Award, CLYMERA Inc.

2025

Nominated for ZHdK Graduate Award (MAE/MTR), CLYMERA Inc.

2025
Honorable Mention at DA-Z (Digital Arts Festival Zürich), ENTITY

2021
Winner — FORMAT/Lishui Photography Festival Special Exhibition Award, AEON

2020
Nominated for Prix Photoforum 2020, AEON

2018
Nominated for Prix Photoforum 2018, AMBIVALENT

2014–2017
Shortlist — vfg Young Talent Award (Multiple Projects)

2016
Nominated for Swiss Photo Award 16 (the selection), Category Free, KIRUNA

2015
Winner — Graduation Award, Prix Photobastei 15, LAUSITZER BRAUNKOHLEREVIER




Selected Festivals & Exhibitions
(Juried Open Calls)
2021
GUP Fresh Eyes Talent 2021

2020
Finalist for Format Festival, Open Call 2020, AEON

2020
Main Program Athens Photo Festival, Open Call 2020, AEON

2020
Finalist for Fotofestiwal Łódz Open Call 2020, AEON




Residencies2023
Artists-in-Labs
ELE – Ecosystem and Landscape Evolution Group, ETH Zürich




Collections
2020
Volkart Stiftung, Winterthur, Switzerland




Publications2015
Marcel Rickli HAGNECK, Monograph, Self Published
ISBN 978-3-033-05255

2014
Zeitzeiger - Verwandlung antiker Bildwelten, Edition Clandestin
ISBN 978-3905297645

2014
S AM 13 - Textbau - Schweizer Architektur zur Diskussion, Christoph Merian Verlag
ISBN 978-3856166526