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Complex architectures of nanostructures are currently routinely elaborated using bottom-up or nanofabrication processes. This technological capability allows scientists to engineer materials with properties that do not exist in nature, but also to manufacture model systems to explore fundamental issues in condensed matter physics. Two-dimensional frustrated arrays of magnetic nanostructures are one class of systems for which theoretical predictions can now be tested experimentally. In particular, magnetic imaging techniques offer the appealing opportunity to observe a wide range of phenomena within the concept of lab-on-a-chip. For example, several exotic magnetic phases have been discovered in artificial frustrated spin systems. Besides, these systems allow the study of classical analogues of magnetic monopoles. These recent results have stimulated new research activities motivated by the quest for …