Astrit Ismaili

In their performance practice, Astrit Ismaili explores the transformational potential of bodies and spaces. Their work proposes bodies that consist of both imaginary and material realities, using alter egos, body extensions and wearable music instruments to embody different possibilities for becoming. Through these elements, they think of, about and through the body: as it transforms and is transformed, as it moves, makes sound and makes contact, as it extends and exceeds itself, reaching out to and touching the other. Within their practice, the act of singing is used to explore the role of voice in pop culture and identity politics. Fictional, historical and personal references are used as material to build worlds and embody new icons.

Astrit Ismaili graduated from the MA in Performance at DasArts in Amsterdam. They currently teach Performance at the MA Programme at Institute Kunst in Basel. They have received grants such as the Mondriaan Established Artist (2021) and the Young Visual Artists Awards (2011), and were a resident at ISCP in New York. They have opened with a performance Manifesta 14, Pristina (2022) and Athens Biennale, Athens (2021). Shows include at KW Institute for Contemporary Art/Berlin (2022), Neues Museum/Nuremberg, (2022) Impulstanz/Vienna (2021) Salzburger Kunstverein (2020), Oude Kerk/Amsterdam (2019) Stedelijk Museum/Amsterdam (2018) SALTS/Basel (2018), Kunstverein/Amsterdam. They co-organised the performance project Prishtinë - Mon Amour and co-curated a number of Lost & Found, a series of events where artists, writers, scientists and musicians can introduce hybrid works that do not fit comfortably into galleries or museums.