artiste d'mon >>> alison raimes

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One word: Symbiotic
the art of Alison Raimes
Interview by: Silverio Pantalla

Who is Alison Raimes?
Alison Aylwin Raimes was born in 1959 and is a London based interdisciplinary artist.

I studied a BA (Hons) in Fine Art at Manchester Metropolitan University (1994-1997) and an MA in Fine Art at Kent Institute of Art and Design (2001-2002).

Describe your technique.
I move between painting, photography and installation work exploring the space between art and science. My work often plays with the language of physics - both imitating the imagery that science uses to make the 'new' familiar to us and appropriating the signs and symbols into the aesthetic realm.

My task is to take the scientific imagery and make it 'new'. In my work, the real and the unreal become indistinguishable. I invite both myself and the viewer to find new meaning by distancing us from what we think we know.

The departure point from science into art invites imagination to run riot, and in that domain reality starts to look very different.

How is the living experience of living and breathing in London's East End?
It's a vibrant, dynamic community of optimism, where optimism is hard. The energy that is generated by being amongst so many professional artists, helps to defy the odds of the increaing cost of living and the problems of studio space under threat of developers and regeneration.

What is your most important goal in life?
To stay true.

What is a camera painting?
With the camera, I adopt the same principles of painting - looking for autonomy and the accidental while embracing the new. The camera serves as nothing more than a brush.

If you could meet anyone living or dead; who would that be and why?
I have many questions to ask Immanuel Kant! I would want to hear his opionion on Abstract Art.

If you had to live in one room for your entire life, what would it look like?
I do live in one room! and it is cramped, cluttered, and fun!

What do you think is the secret of your success?
What is success?

What other art doctrines do you currently work on?
What is a doctrine?

Who have been some of your main influences as an artist and as a person?
The sea.

Finish the following statement: existentialism is to art what...
gravity is to the earth.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Hang on while I consult my crystal ball!