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, Glasgow School of Art and Elisava
Sept 2024 - now : PhD student (funded studentship) 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 (including both research and teaching - studio, lectures, tutorials, assessments)
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 2015 & 2016 : Elected «kindest waiter of the season» two consecutive years, Restaurant Les Terroirs, Uzès, France
Teaching
2026
Visiting Lecturer, MA Immersive Arts / Immersive Experience, University of Bristol
Teaching and student support around immersive storytelling, interaction, experience design and creative technologies.
March 2026
Visiting Lecturer, Elisava, Barcelona, Spain
Lecture on Ai, divination and magic. Speculative birdwatching and augury workshop for students in the Master in Applied AI for Arts and Design.
May 2026
Visiting Lecturer, Université Aix/Marseille, France
Teaching session / workshop on AI, speculative practice and creative research.
2025
Visiting Lecturer, Designing Technologies for Learning, University of Bristol
Teaching on technology, pedagogy, AI, design practice and critical approaches to learning technologies.
November 2025
Visiting Lecturer, Glasgow School of Art
Teaching and workshop on AI, design, research methods, creative technologies and speculative practice.
2021–2024
Teaching, Supervision and Assessment, Glasgow School of Art
Taught across undergraduate and postgraduate design programmes, including drawing, sociological observation, video, data visualisation, interaction design, prototyping, futures/worldbuilding. Delivered lectures, tutorials, critiques and workshops; supported MDes supervision, viva panels, grading and assessment.
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
June 2026: BIRD and House of IFs presented at the Futures Now festival, Watershed, Bristol, UK
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