Aria Aira | CV
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Transcript of Aria Aira | CV
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A brief portrait of a young artist with a deep love of other folk cultures, multicultural art
forms, exotic colours and materials and an inner energy driving constant experimentation
with new art and craft creations.
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Education and Qualifications2003- 2009 High School Diploma from the American International School of Cyprus (AISC).
This is an English-speaking secondary school in Cyprus offering high quality education with a
strong basis in liberal arts. Its students come from approximately 30 different countries; this
gave me the opportunity to study in a truly multicultural environment which stimulated my
interest in other cultures and religions.
2010-2013 BA Degree in Contemporary Applied Arts at the University of Hertfordshire, UK
(expected completion in June 2013).
This degree combines a sound theoretical background with a strong practical
emphasis on the development of skills in various crafts -- such as jewellery, glass
making, textile design and pottery. An important feature of the course is its
emphasis on workshops and studio projects which allow students to engage in
research and creative interpretation, and to thereby develop their personal interests
and unique identity.
2012 One Semester ofAnthropology, Sociology and Dance at the University of Nicosia,
Cyprus.
I took these courses in order to develop my understanding of how modern societies work,
how other cultures differ and how globalization changes the contemporary world; also, to
learn the art of dancing and the use of the body as an instrument of art to supplement my
other craft skills.
Skills and other courses
While studying at secondary school and later on at the university, I attended various courses
of short duration to develop areas which were not covered through my formal education (or
if they were so covered, to explore certain aspects more thoroughly). Besides developing
various dexterities in the arts and crafts, I tried to work on body skills and body control --
which are useful in complementing my formal studies through the development of a more
holistic approach to life.
2008 (September June)
Photography and Photography Design
I completed two short courses (3 months) on general photography in which I learned thebasic principles of how a camera works and developed initial skills in photography; I
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subsequently continued with a more advanced short course (3 months) in photography
design which dealt with layout principles.
2009Autumn (October- December)
Candle making
Worked with the Greek artist Iulia Kaloutsa, assisting her to create a range of candles, in
different colours, for a Christmas exhibition (and sale) she was organizing. During this time I
learned much about this art form and created and had the chance to exhibit my own
creations. Overall I acquired knowledge on the techniques used in melting, colouring,
scenting and shaping wax, and embedding wicks.
Once the collection was ready I assisted in build the exhibition space and in the opening up
of the show; this was a great experience as it taught me a lot about the various stages
involved in setting up an art exhibition.
2010 Summer (June- July)
Mosaics
Worked with the Greek artist Anna Koutsoumba on the creation of a mural mosaic project.
During this process I learned how to use a panel as a base on which to draw a design, and
how to use cut tiles to build the design. I hence acquired skills on cutting tiles and glass;
assembling the tiles with a sense of direction so as to create movement and/or depth in thedesign; gluing and casting individual 3-D objects (such as stones and ceramic fish) into the
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overall mosaic design. During this project I also learned to make my own ceramic tiles and
used a cement mixture to install the mosaic mural on the installation site.
2011 Spring (April-May)
Interior Design
Worked with a crew of artists in renovating an old bar and turning it into a contemporary
bar/ caf named Svoura (spinning top).During this process I was required to accomplish a
number of different tasks such as: bringing old furniture and flooring back to a good
condition through sanding down the wood, staining and polishing it; painting walls and
tables; using second hand objects to create decorative pieces; providing innovative ideas on
how the various tasks and items could be constructed in an efficient and cost-effective
manner.
2011 September - Summer 2013
Contemporary Applied Arts BA Degree
In the first year the degree started by providing an introduction to the workshops and
provided a basic education on various crafts techniques -- such as jewellery making, glass
making, textiles and ceramics; in the second year students specialized in one of these crafts
developing more specialized skills in their area of preference; in the third it focused more on
the research and writing of a dissertation paper, which the students were later expected to
use as a basis to develop their own collection through a guided development procedure,
between tutor and student. In parallel the degree included a business module on how to sell,
promote and use business skills in the market.
The overall skills and techniques I personally developed during the years were the following:
Jewellery
Basic techniques of jewelry making using metal, wood and plastic including: imprinting on
metal, wax casting, enameling, handling basic jewellery making tools, shaping and imprintingon plastic, cutting, sanding and drilling on wood.
Ceramics
Coiling method, imprinting, glazing and throwing.
Glass
Etching method, melting glass onto layers of fiberglass to create 3-D shapes; how to colour
glass using pigments and how to use stencils so as to create pattern in of colour onto glass.
Textiles
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Sewing machine skills, felting, dying and printing on fabric using heat transfer. I especially
developed and explored skills in sewing textile pots/baskets in my final year of studies (my
final year exhibition work consisted of two collections of textile basketry).
2013 Spring (March-April)
Workshops in Morrocco
As part of my final year dissertation I was required to research a topic surrounding a craft
which intrigued and inspired me. In this context I decided to participate in two workshops in
Morocco trying to find out what it was in Moroccan art which caught my interest since my
first visit there, in 2006.
This proved to be a very fascinating cultural experience that gave me a different outlook on
crafts. In this trip I observed the way in which these people worked on their craft; what
astonished me was their different outlook on the requirements of a professional art space
and working environment. People in these workshops had very limited and unorganized
spaces to work in, not in any way designed as being workshops -- yet they were very content
and comfortable in what they did. The tools they used were often not specialist tools but
simply everyday items (e.g. for gluing a mixture of water and sugar was used). This trip
subsequently inspired me to write my dissertation on Moroccan zillijtiles.
Zillij mosaics
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A first workshop focused on how to make zillij(Arabic style) mosaic tiles. Beginning from a
basic square glazed tile, drawing thefurmahs (specific shapes of tiles) onto them, and using
a chisel to cut them out.
Jewellery techniques
In this second workshop in which I learned how to engrave Arabic patterns onto metal and
stone setting.
2012 Spring (May)
Teaching art
An internship teaching art and crafts to kindergarten and primary school children.
A requirement of my BA degree was an internship at any chosen area of art/ craft. To fulfil
this I arranged a placement at the American International School of Cyprus (AISC), where I
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had completed my secondary education -- only now I had to demonstrate my abilities as a
teacher of art. Upon completion I received positive formal evaluation.
2012 Summer (June- July)
Make-up and face painting
The 15th
World Bodypainting Festival
(The make-up and photography in the image above was done by me).
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I attended two workshops in the 15th
World Bodypainting Festival in Poertschach, Austria
(July 2012), and received two Certificates:
Bodypainting for Beginners (with Lymari Millot), which included different brushing
techniques, tips and tricks on how to work with different body shapes, mix colours, create
layers, and use stencils, as well as tips on how to treat and communicate with a model
ensuring their comfort and health.
Begginers Make- Up (with Einat Dan), which included a basic education on skin care, and the
basic techniques and products used for: cleaning the skin; cover up; foundation application;
shaping and colouring of the eyebrows; application of eye shadow and mascara; rouge
application; and lip liner and lipstick application. I was also given tips on which colour
combinations are more suitable for day or night make up and which colour tones suit
distinct skin colours.
Other interests and hobbies
Interests
Travelling
I have travelled in most of the EU, some parts of Northern Africa, and recently visited Asia
and the USA. I hope to travel all around the world, always aiming to learn more, pushing my
own boundaries while exploring and discovering new places and cultures.
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Yoga and dance have been a major passion in my life. I consider movement a necessity in
life as it keeps the body and mind in balance.
I have taken the following relevant courses/classes so far:
Dance courses: ballet, contemporary, improvisation, contact improvisation at the Universityof Nicosia.
Aerial Circus (trapeze, rope and silks) classes.
Hot Yoga and Asthanga Yoga classes; I have recently been accepted on a Yoga Teachers
Training Course (September 2013, in Morocco).