Alicia Framis, a Spanish/Dutch artist, is celebrated for her social engagement within contemporary society and technology. She is regarded as one of Europe's most significant artists, taking pride in the public participation that is central to her artistic methodology. Framis aims to explore new avenues for coexistence through her work.
My name is Alicia Framis and I am Spanish/Dutch artist who is renowned for my social involvement in today's society and technology. I am proud to say that I am considered one of the most important artists in Europe!
In my practice as a multidisciplinary artist, I focus on critiquing outdated or uneven societal power structures and shortcomings, developing projects that span performance art, design, architecture, and fashion to explore new ways of living together. Public participation plays a vital role in my artistic approach, aiming to forge new possibilities for coexistence.
I was awarded the Lucas Artists Visual Arts Fellowship 2021-2024 in California. My works are included in numerous permanent collections, such as the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington (US), Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam (Netherlands), MUSAC in Castilla y León (Spain), Museum voor Moderne Kunst Arnhem (Netherlands), FRAC Lorraine (France), Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing (China), El Museo del Barrio in New York (US), Philadelphia Museum (US), and Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst in Switzerland.
Regarding my creative and design process, I typically begin by identifying a problem that lacks a solution, something that troubles or intrigues me. I strive to find ways to contribute to society, such as addressing the issue of loneliness.
I generate numerous ideas and study past solutions to ensure that I don't repeat them. Instead, I aim to start from scratch and create something new, different, provocative, and infused with humor. Throughout the process, there comes a point where I feel the form and content align perfectly.
I entered with an innovative work called INSOMNIACS, which is a collection of 'paintings-tools' designed to accompany people who suffer from insomnia at night. These works are made from fluorescent tape, similar to what is used in airplanes to guide people to emergency exits in the dark.
The theme of these works revolves around insomnia, a common issue experienced by many due to the anxiety caused by the pandemic or the global uncertainty we are facing.
My greatest inspiration is Rothko because he attempted to humanize a rectangle, and he succeeded so well that we experience emotions when observing a square.
Through art, we have the power to move people. I have been inspired by numerous artists who chose to make breakthroughs in art history, even when not everyone understood their work. Steve Jobs has also been a significant inspiration to me. He was a visionary who often felt isolated.
Like a memorial for abandoned fears, Alicia Framis’s installation comprises a mirrored diamond-shaped vessel …
(Read more at MUSE Creative Awards)
Alicia Framis, a Spanish/Dutch artist, is celebrated for her social engagement within contemporary society and technology. She is regarded as one of Europe's most significant artists, taking pride in the public participation that is central to her artistic methodology. Framis aims to explore new avenues for coexistence through her work.
Read more about this interview with Yichen Wang from China, the Gold Winner of the 2023 MUSE Creative Awards.