Alisa Aistova (b. 1988)
Is a Russia-born London-based contemporary artist, who constantly pushes the boundaries of photography as she uses her medium of choice to create complex projects and installations that also incorporate drawings, videos, collages, objects and performative practices.Having being diagnosed with clinical depression and bipolar disorder, Alisa focuses on the transformations an artist’s work and personality undergo because of illness. Besides trauma and mental health issues, she explores themes such as in-between states and physical and psychological limitations as well as the darker areas of the soul, fear, isolation and death.While in Russia, Alisa received her bachelor’s degree in computer science from Russian State Social University, Moscow, before also studying typography at the British Higher School of Art and Design and contemporary art theory at the Free Workshops Contemporary Art School organized by the Moscow Museum of Modern Art.
After moving to London, Alisa received a Foundation Diploma in Fine Arts at Central Saint Martins in 2018 and gained a Master of Arts Degree in Contemporary Photography; Practices and Philosophies, also at CSM, in 2022.
Alisa has taken part in numerous group exhibitions in Russia, Italy and the UK, including the London Ultra Art Extravaganza and CSM’s shows at the Lethaby Gallery. In 2019, she was an artist-in-residence at the Untitled Space in Shanghai where she produced works for her first show in China.
Alisa’s creative output was reviewed by Bunbury Magazine and Al-Tiba9 Contemporary Art Magazine as well as on CSM’s official website.
Statement
Having undergone a lengthy treatment for clinical depression and bipolar disorder, I have come to realize – through first-hand experience – that, contrary to popular misconception, mental illness does not foster creativity. Quite the opposite, it renders you helpless, draining your energy and taking up all the time you could have otherwise spent on artistic endeavours.
With barren dark months behind me, I have focused on the transformations an artist’s work and personality endure because of illness. It is my goal to break down the misleading romantic link between mental disorders and talent and productivity, a connection that has been the bane of creative individuals for centuries.
Researchers have long ago come to a conclusion that mental illness is neither necessary nor sufficient for creativity. And this is something I am out to prove with my work as I also explore themes such as in-between states, physical and psychological limitations, fear, isolation and death.
Staying faithful to photography as my principal medium, I never stop looking for ways to push its boundaries and transcend the two-dimensional image that I see as a starting point for further experiments and the centre of my installations.
Activity
NOTHING: Art created throughout clinical depression stage, Book (in progress)
At least I can stay here, UAL Central Saint Martins Project
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NOTHING: Art created throughout clinical depression stage, UAL Central Saint Martins Research Project
Untitled Research
Melancholic Objects
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Disparate Surface, Art Residence Research Project in Shanghai, China
Clinical Record
Bed In The Room
Isolation, UAL Central Saint Martins Research Project
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Homeland
(Insomnia) Untitled Research
Education
UAL Central Saint Martins, MA, Contemporary Photography and Philosophical Practices
UAL Central Saint Martins, Foundation Diploma with Distinction, Art and Design
DocDocDoc Contemporary Photography School
The diploma project was among the 25% exhibited inside the Lethaby Gallery during the Foundation Show.
Camberwell College guaranteed me a place on the BA Fine Art Photography course immediately during the interview.
The exhibition at Waterlow Park included not only a rabbet on its own behalf, but also a work that became part of the work of a classmate, which was later used as a poster for the event.
led the instagram group and made all the main shooting of all the works, later used by fellow students for their own portfolios.
The only one from the group from whom 2 objects were selected for the final show instead of one.
MMOMA Free Workshops, School of Contemporary Art, Russia
British Higher School of Art and Design, Typeface and Print Intensive
Russian State Social University, Bachelor in Computer Science
Lectuiring expirience
Series of seminars «Expressive lettering», «Shkola» (most faimos russian type and lettering school) Russia
Workshops «lettering» , Wind Festival, Russia
Selected group exhibitions
Arte Laguna Prize 18: The Finalist Artists Exhibition at the Arsenale Nord of Venice
Malamegi Prize LAB MILAN'23 The Finalist Arfists Exhibition at the Centro Culturale di Milano (IT)
"Women in Photography' Group Exhibition, The Glasgow Gallery of Photography, Scotland (UK)
Annual Open Group Exhibition, Southwark Park Galleries. London (UK)
'Imagination, Dreams and Fantasy' Group Exhibition, Cista Arts, London (UK)
VII Moscow International Biennale of Young Art (MMOMA Special Project) HOMO Communicating
London Ultra Extravaganza, London, curated by London free painters and sculptors, UK
Painting in the Edge of the World Exhibition, London, UK
Radical (Fringe Arts Bath) Exhibition, Bath, UK
It drives me crazy Exhibition, Moscow, MMOMA
Household Mythologies Exhibition, Moscow, Biennale of Young Art
Delphian Exhibition, Delphian Gallery, London, UK
AN EXQUISITE MESS, Cob Gallery, London, UK
The Essential Exhibition, Rome, Italy
The Egosophy exhibition Exhibition, Lavagna, Italy
Make it new Exhibition, Moscow, MMOMA + ArtPlay
Residences
Untitled Space, Shanghai, China
Awards
Arte Laguna Prize 18, Finalist (IT)
Malamegi Prize LAB MILAN'23, Finalist (IT)
FRESH EYES International 2024 Talent by GUP Magazine, Finalist (NE)
Publications
Friend of The Artist. Volume 18
99 Future Blue Chip Artists 2024
Museums of Russia Publication
Wotisart, November
AverageArt November
A5 magazine, October and November