Alicia Velázquez's work explores intimacy and belonging, aspects of time, and the convergence of internal and external realities using a fluid variety of media. Her ritualistic performances and installations act as scaffolds where humans, objects, lines or colors are invited to construct and experience moments of togetherness. With a recurrent inquiry of her and others’ timely identity, Alicia performs ritualistic, years-long repetitive actions often woven within her personal, intimate routines.
Alicia studied architecture in the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. After graduating she works and lives in New York City (4 years), Amsterdam (7 years), Barcelona (1.5 years), and Madrid (3 years) before moving to Zurich in 2013. As an independent designer Alicia worked across cultures, teams, disciplines and media, including graphic design, scenography, interiors and installations. In 2015 she receives an Adapt-r Marie Curie European grant for a residency period in Brussels (1,5 years), during which she develops her first performances.
1969 / Born in Madrid, Spain. Lives and works in Zurich
EDUCATION
2015 - 2019 / Practice-based artistic research PhD (in progress). Zürcher Hochschüle der Künste ZHdK/Linz (2018-2019) and KU Leuven School of Architecture, Brussels (2015-2018)
1999 / Parsons School of Design, New York. Art Direction & Typography
1998 / Architecture Bachelor & Master, ETSA Madrid
SOLO EXHIBITIONS & PERFORMANCES
2024
”FRISCH”, Visarte Kabinett, Zurich CH
”Unsere Zeit”, Bürgerasyl-Pfrundhaus, Zurich
2022
“Freedom Talks”. Performance. Window of Fame, Zurich.
“Chorizos for Mercedes”. Performance. Helmhaus, Zurich.
2021
“White, Things and Rituals”. Event. Shedhalle, Zurich CH.
“FOR SALE”. Window of Fame, Zurich, CH
“Teile deinen Teil”. Neu-Oerlikon Performance Series. Zurich, CH
“What is Our Dream?”. Closing performance. Helmhaus, Zurich, CH
2020
“What is Our Dream?”. Series of participatory performances. of release. Helmhaus, Zurich, CH
“Szennen für Zufriedenheit”. Performance. Intra Muros Kunstfestival, Winterthur
2019
“The Body of Our Time”. Solo exhibition. 2B_Space. Madrid, ES
2018
“Liquid Moments”. Solo exhibition. ARCO Madrid ES, Space NuBel-Zapaca
“Rosebud” Performance. Kurhaus Bergün CH
“407” Performance. Gallery Knoerle-Baettig, Winthertur CH
“Liquid Moments”. Live drawing. Gallery Knoerle-Baettig Winthertur CH
“While Making It Together”. Social Performance. Enable Conference, Ghent BE
“Dead, And A Cypress”. Performance. Environmental Humanities Switzerland, Zurich
2017
“While Making It Together”. Social Performance. Exhibition ADAPT-r. Ambika P3, London UK.
2016
“One Hair One Purpose”. Long-durational performance. Corner College, Zurich CH
2013
“Grow” Installation. BD Design Gallery. Madrid ES
2010
“Floweraction”. Social Performance. Cultural Association Pulpito. Barcelona ES
2008
“Ablando” (Softening). Temporary public installation. Malaga, ES
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
”Südtrottoir”, Hardturm, Zurich CH
2023
”Einsichten: Visarte Zürich & Friends”, Zurich CH
”Salon des Refusés”. FRIENDS, Zurich, CH
2022
”Best of Visarte”, Zurich CH
”Château Hornegg au Lac”, Zurich CH
”XXs”. Ziegler Galerie. Zurich CH
”Freedom of Skin”. Sound Installation. Neu-Oerlikon Performance Reihe. Zurich, CH
“Bang Bang”. Museum Tinguely. Basel CH
“It’s A Spring Show”. Ruettimann Contemporary. Zurich CH
2021
“Open Futures”. Installation “White and Black, Things and Rituals”. Shedhalle, Zurich CH.
“Atlantis im Sinn”, Zurich CH
“Found in Translation”, Zurich CH
2020
“Am nächsten Tag ging die Sonne auf”. Helmhaus, Zurich CH
“In Transition”. Sennhof-Kyburg, CH
2018
“Solid”. Gallery Knoerle-Baettig Contemporary, Winthertur CH
2017
“ADAPT-r” traveling exhibition. Ghent, Barcelona, Roma, Berlin, Karlsruhe, London, Paris
“ADAPT-r”. Ambika P3, London UK
2016
“ADAPT-r” traveling exhibition. Ghent, Barcelona, Roma, Berlin, Karlsruhe, London, Paris
“Export”. IIDEX, Canada
2015
“Export”. ICO Foundation. Madrid ES
“ADAPT-r”. Aarhus DK
2013
“Homeless”, Salone del Mobile, Milan IT
AWARDS
2022
Arbeitsstipendium Covid 19, Stadt Zürich Kultur Bildende Kunst
2021
Studio Visits. prohelvetia
Arbeitsstipendium Covid 19, Stadt Zürich Kultur Bildende Kunst
2015
Fellowship ADAPT-r (Art Design Architecture Practice Training research) Marie Curie European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013, for practice-based research. 14-months residency in Brussels
2009
Project award Disonancias cultural platform. Basque Country and Barcelona, ES.
2007
Production grant. Andalusian Ministry of Culture, ES.
PUBLICATIONS
2020
“Am nächsten Tag ging die Sonne auf’ (The next day the sun rose). Helmhaus, Zürich, CH. Exhibition catalogue
In Transition, Sennhof-Kyburg CH. Exhibition catalogue
"Die Sehnsucht lebt weiter”. Article. Der Landbote. 12.09.2020
2016
Adapt-r, Exhibition catalogue
2015
Export: Arquitectura Española en el Extranjero. Exhibition catalogue
2008
Icon Magazine, article installation Ablando (Softening)
2006
Article Neo2 magazine Issue #56, Let’s eat architecture