Giovanni Aloi

A transformative experience

To say that Goldsmiths transformed me would be no exaggeration. I quickly came to understand that my cultural upbringing in Italy had not equipped me for critical thinking in the way the Department of Visual Cultures demanded. It was there that I encountered an environment unafraid to challenge conventions, to embrace experimentation, and to reconceive both what art is and what it can do.

This shift was nothing short of life changing. It awakened in me a profound excitement for contemporary art and its potential to reshape the world. I had never read philosophy before coming to Goldsmiths and I had never read it the way we did. It was transformative.

Life after Goldsmiths

Since 2005, I have taught modern and contemporary art at institutions including Queen Mary University of London, University of Roehampton, The Open University, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

My work has focused on the intersections of nature and visual culture, resulting in numerous authored and edited volumes on the subject. I have also curated exhibitions and founded Antennae: The Journal of Nature in Visual Culture. Few things could be more professionally fulfilling.

Green spaces and vibrant community

I lived in Lewisham at the time, and I rode my bike to New Cross for classes. It was fun, very young. Rough around the edges, as it still is today — but vibrant, diverse, rich and exciting.

New Cross is so close to London Bridge and many other means of transportation so traveling to central London was always easy. Goldsmiths is also very close to Greenwich and its outstanding park. Green spaces were easily accessible.

Advice for future students

Take your experience at Goldsmiths as a true journey of development and growth. Get to know your professors and don’t think of them as just professors. They are all key players in the art world and theoretical field. Build relationships and grow! Take risks, don’t be afraid to fail and get up again, over and over.

Looking back

It was a magical time in so many ways. I cannot imagine my life without that experience, and it is somewhat heartening to be able to look back and say: I don't regret that one bit.