Robert Aliaj
Robert Aliaj Dragot is an Albanian visual artist and former singer. He is known for his experimental and interdisciplinary work, which includes painting, performance, music, film, installations, and digital art. Some of his notable works include Discrete Elements, Spring & Stalin, Punch Me, and Homomigratus. He lives and works between Tirana and Brussels.
Personal life
Aliaj was born in Tirana into a family of artists. He studied painting at the Jordan Misja Artistic Lyceum. Following the fall of communism in Albania, he emigrated first to Greece, and later to Belgium.He is married to translator Mimoza Dino. They have two children: Gala Dragot, a singer, and Krist Aliaj Dragot, a painter.
Career
During the 1980s and 1990s, Aliaj was active in both painting and pop music. He later shifted focus toward the visual arts. His work frequently explores themes such as social change, migration, post-communist memory, and institutional critique. From Brussels, he creates using diverse media including painting, performance, video, sound art, and photography.He is a frequent commentator on Albanian media, where he addresses cultural and social issues.
Exhibitions
Aliaj's work has been exhibited internationally at venues including:- National Museum Szczecin, Poland
- Venice Biennale, 53rd edition
- International Triennial of Extended Media, Belgrade
- Musée de la Vie Wallonne, Belgium
- Center for Openness and Dialogue, Tirana – INEVITABLE
- The Action Field Kodra, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Chiesa di San Paolo, Modena, Italy
- National Gallery of Arts, Tirana – ''Discrete Elements''
Selected works
Les Deux Moitiés Spring & Stalin Punch Me Homomigratus- ''Tirana Horizontale''
Music and festivals
Aliaj also participated in several Albanian music festivals.- Festivali i Këngës
- Kur Vjen Pranvera
- Kënga Magjike – song: "Ah ku më hodhi Zoti"