Gaia Alari is a visual artist and animation filmmaker based in Italy. After her studies in Medicine, she pursued drawing and illustration as a self taught. As of 2021, she also started directing and animating short experimental animated films and music videos, specializing in frame by frame hand drawn, 1 layer animation in charcoal and oil pastels on paper, usually as a one woman crew. 

You have a background in medicine before diving into art. How do you balance the analytical side of your background with the creative freedom of being an artist?

I think the analytical side does not clash with the creative side at all - in fact I think of it as an asset. I have a very visual way of learning: for my experience, the ability to synthesize and learn from external inputs (art, films, books) is the natural consequence of adsorbing them, letting them sink in and analyzing the abstract feelings they arise. This is necessary for my process. I do believe that a certain amount of discipline in the creative field is of help to gain maximum freedom and therefore authenticity - which is what I ultimately seek in any form of art.

If you were to make an animation about how you’re feeling right now, what would it be like?

It would probably be a character in constant fluid morphing, interacting with the space that surrounds it, shapeshifting as it tries to explore the space’s mystery. Not solve it like a riddle. Just explore it with marvel and curiosity. And a bit of fear.

"La casa delle stone"

Your art seems to explore a lot of emotions. If you had to pick one feeling that sums it all up, what would it be?

An archetypical sense of yearning and hunger. And a bit of fear. 

Everyone has their own creative process. What’s something unique or unexpected about how you approach creating your art?

Perhaps the most peculiar thing is that anytime I feel less certain, I resort to leafing through contemporary art catalogs and images. In general I have to avoid feeling bored at all costs.

"What my dog taught me about mortality"

You’ve been involved in various projects, from music videos to experimental animations. Is there a project you’re especially proud of, and what made it unique or particularly fulfilling for you?

I always try to put something personal inside any of the projects I work on, so I end up being fond of each and every one of them. For sure one of my favorites is the New York Times magazine cover + illustration and animation for the feature short story written by Sam Anderson. I absolutely loved working with the team over there and adding a visual surreal layer that could accompany Sam’s story, focusing subtly on the archetypical feelings it touched upon. 

I am also particularly fond of the projected visuals I created for british band Porridge Radio performing live at Le Centre Pompidou in Paris (concert to be released) and of the animated adaptation of the myth of Sealskin that I made for the up and coming documentary “La casa delle storie” - directed by Rosa Maietta and produced by Ladoc (also to be released). In both cases, I was left entirely free in the artistic interpretation and exploration of story and imagery.  It was also very fun working on a section of  the latest lyric video for Coldplay, alongside 15 directors/animators from all over the world - directed by Raman Djafari and produced by BlinkInk. And of course, I’m mostly thrilled for  future projects!

Gaia's animation created for created for Coldplay's 'feelslikeimfallinginlove' music video.

What do you do to relax or spark new ideas when you’re not working on animations?

I have to keep my brain constantly active, boredom really is my worst enemy, so I tend to watch films, visit museums, read, in general store up creative fuel I can reach out to when needed. And I love just letting my head run when I drive on the highway.

Gaia's workspace

Can you share a photo of somethig that's recently made you smile or caught your eye?

If you could give advice to your younger self just starting out in art, what would it be? 

Don’t be afraid of being hungry.

What’s coming up for you? Can you give us a sneak peek into what you’re currently working on?

Amongst other really beautiful projects I can’t talk about as of yet, I’d mention  the short animation I wrote and am directing -  “What comes at night” that I am developing with La Cellule Productions, and a children’s book I am writing and illustrating.

"What comes at night"