Hi! I'm Gaston Welisch, an artist, researcher and designer based in Scotland.
I explore and build experiences of frictions between Artificial Intelligence, Magic and Divination.
My practice, which I describe as 'Epistemic Mischief,' uses playful provocations to question technologies through web-based interactions, critical making projects and artefacts.
I am currently working on my PhD: '(de)mystifying AI' which reads AI through the metaphorical framework of Magic and Divination. Situating AI systems alongside ritual practices (like Roman augury), allows me to critically contextualise AI's claims to knowledge, neutrality and inevitability. I am particularly interested in the way emerging technologies shape our interactions with the world, and in finding alternative approaches to hegemonic ontologies.
Work experience
2024 - now : Visiting Lecturer, University of Bristol and Glasgow School of Art
Sept 2024 - now : PhD student (fully funded) at the Centre for Sociodigital Futures, University of Bristol
2021-Now: Freelance Design and Photography practice
Oct 2021 - 2024 : Research Associate in Design Innovation, Glasgow School of Art
June 2022 - June 2023 : Co-Applicant and researcher on a project with Patient and Public involvement in Cancer Research, Glasgow University
Jan 2021 - July 2021: Researcher/Designer, Institute of Cancer Sciences, Glasgow University
Sept 2019 - July 2020 : Research associate in Interaction Design, Glasgow School of Art
Summer 2018 : Graphic Design, internship at ZAOUM, Paris, France : www.zaoum.fr
August 2015 : Product Design, internship at échelle 1, Uzès, France : www.echelle1.fr
Summer 2015 & 2016 : Elected «kindest waiter of the season» two consecutive years, Restaurant Les Terroirs, Uzès, France
Studies
2019 : Masters in Product Design - MEDES,
Recipient of the Chairman's Medal, Glasgow School of Art
2017-2018: Design, Art et Storytelling - MEDES, Aalto University, Finland
2016-2017 : Product Design - MEDES, ENSCI, Paris
2014-2016 : Product Design - MEDES, Glasgow School of Art
Exhibitions
July 2025: Botter presented and exhibited at the xCoAx conference, Dundee, UK
May 2025: BIRD (Webcam augury website) presented and exhibited at the AIxDesign Festival, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Summer 2023 : Photography shown at the Architecture Fringe, Glasgow, UK
June 2023 : “A new World”, Solo photography exhibition at the Alchemy Experiment, Glasgow, UK
Summer 2021 : Data Poets Events at the Architecture Fringe, Glasgow, UK
Summer 2018 : Solo photography exhibition, Helsinki, Finland
May 2018 : Project for Converse exhibited at the Innovation Launch, Boston, U.S.A
March 2017 : Project with Matali Crasset exhibited at the Design biennale of St-Etienne, Saint-Étienne, France
April 2016 : Organisation of a group exhibition, Glasgow School of Art