Constantine Zlatev is a San Francisco based artist whose conceptual sculptures and installations are grounded in ideas of social, political, cultural or historical significance. Many of his works transform weapons into harmless objects whose new purpose is to directly question the ubiquity of gun violence today and the complexities of the global weaponry trade. 

"My work is the outcome of an idea propelled forward by an irresistible need for its realization. The knowledge, skills, interests and experiences that I have accumulated through my life & travels strongly inform my work, consciously and subconsciously. This inner aesthetic universe is my ultimate creative guide."
- Constantine Zlatev
EXHIBITIONS
Solo
2016 Trade Beads, TechShop Gallery, San Francisco, California
2014 Crossroads, 1Opera Gallery, Naples, Italy
2011 Fork Ahead, de Jong Warehouse, San Francisco, California
Group
2019 Up In Arms, Kunstraum Kreuzberg/Bethanien, Berlin, Germany
2019 Art of Peace, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, California
2016 Politic(s), 14th Festival Art Stays, Ptuj, Slovenia
2015 Bal Robotov Exhibition & Forum, Moscow, Russia
2014 Maker Faire Bay Area 2014, San Mateo, California
2014 Segrete, Castel dell'Ovo, Naples, Italy
2013 The Game, Amy-d Arte Spazio, Milan, Italy 
2013 7th International Arte Laguna Prize, Venice Arsenale, Venice, Italy 
2012 Politicizing Aesthetics, John A. Day Gallery, South Dakota
2012 Fall National Juried Exhibition, Marin MOCA, California
2010 CCA Interface Show, Oliver Art Center, Oakland, California
PRESS
Designboom article (Ahimsa)
Designboom article (The Candy Machine)
Neural Magazine article
Sonification Art article
Designboom article (The Last Gun)
CSI Multimedia Interview (Italian & English)
Experimenta Magazine article (Spanish)
CNET Magazine article
CNET: Tomorrow Daily Podcast (5:49 - 7:50)
CNET: Crave Podcast (0:58 -1:52)
Trendhunter article
Us vs Th3m article (English)              


AWARDS, PRIZES
2021    Creative Initiatives Program Grant, National Cultural Fund of Bulgaria
2020    Creative Initiatives Program Grant, National Cultural Fund of Bulgaria
2016    Fall 2016 Art Residency, TechShop-San Francisco
2015    Abate Zanetti Glass School residency, Murano, Italy (Arte Laguna Special Prize)
2013    Sculpture & Installation Winner - 7th Arte Laguna Art Prize, Venice, Italy
2012    Juror's Prize - Politicizing Aesthetics, John A. Day Gallery, University of South Dakota
Collaborators
Kostadin Ilov is a computer engineer and a systems administrator. He earned his Master’s degree in Computer Engineering and enjoys working with artists and tackles the electronic & programming challenges of the robotic installations.
Velina Ruseva is a professional pianist and wrote the musical notes for the robotic flute installations. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the Conservatory of Music in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and earned her Master’s degree from Veliko Turnovo University. Her love of music and geeky sense of adventure has led her to enjoy writing music for such experimental instruments.
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