ASTRIT ISMAILI (* in Prishtina, Kosovo) lives and works in Amsterdam. Astrit Ismaili’s performance practice explores the transformational potential of bodies and spaces. Their work proposes bodies that consist of both imaginary and material realities—using alter egos, extensions and wearable music instruments to embody different possibilities for becoming. Through these elements, Ismaili thinks of, about and through the body: as it transforms and is transformed, as it moves, as it makes sound and makes contact, as it extends and exceeds, as it reaches out to and touches the other. Within this practice, the act of singing is used to explore the role of voice in pop culture and in relation to identity politics. Fictional, historical and personal references are used as a material to build worlds and incarnate new icons. Astrit Ismaili graduated with an MA in Performance from the DasArts in Amsterdam. They have recently opened Manifesta 14, Pristina (2022) and Athens Biennale (2021) with their work and shown further pieces 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, among others.
