ART IS ALIVE is an independent editorial platform launched in London in 2007, connecting curious minds with contemporary culture. Restructured in 2016, the online publication was conceived for an eclectic audience. It covers news from the full spectrum of the arts.

ART IS ALIVE features exclusive interviews. It also offers a digest on creativity around the world as well as “moments of digital contemplation”. Oh and lots of David Bowie too.

Celebrating its 10 anniversary in 2017, ART IS ALIVE has featured exclusive interviews with Tilda Swinton, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Marianne Faithfull, agnès b, Bella Freud, Django Django, Barnaba Fornasetti, Banks Violette, and fascinating conversations with Helena Christiensen, Louis Fratino, Diane Pernet, Doron Langberg, Paul Smith, Alex Farquharson, Iwona Blazwick, Maripol among many other talents.

The title of the publication references James Whale’s 1935 film “the Bride of Frankenstein”. After tiresome experiments, Henry Frankenstein, the main character, succeeds in bringing his bride to life and famously cries “She’s alive! Alive!”. The title also refers to the punk movement phrase “Punk is Dead”.

“I believe there are no boundaries between contemporary art, fashion, architecture, design, music, dance and performing arts.” – Nicolas Smirnoff, 2007.

Nicolas Smirnoff who grew up in Arles then Marseille, in the South of France, previously served cultural organisations Christie’s, dOCUMENTA (13) curated by Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev and Chus Martinez, Pace Gallery and Magnum Photos.

In his tenure at Pace Gallery, Nicolas orchestrated the launch of the gallery in London, Paris and Geneva, produced three catalogues, Alexander Calder: The Calder Prize; Hoyland, Caro, Noland and Lee Ufan From Point, From Line, From Wind and worked on more than 50 exhibitions by artists such as James Turrell, Mark Rothko, Agnes Martin, Robert Irwin, Alexander Calder, Lee Ufan, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Jean Dubuffet, Louise Nevelson, Zhang Huan, Julian Schnabel, Loie Hollowell, Nathalie Du Pasquier, Adam Pendleton, Adrian Ghenie and more.

He relaunched the Magnum Gallery in 2021 (and supported the efforts to open the Paris gallery, Rue Léon Frot) and among other responsibilities, curated three exhibitions: Herbert List: ‘Metamorphoses’, Matt Black: ‘American Geography’ presented in London and ‘There’s no place like home’. Nico was part of the Jury of the 212 Photography Istanbul Award in 2021.

In previous roles in London, Barcelona and Paris, he has delivered campaigns and strategic advice for private and public clients that include the LUMA Foundation, the Lyon, Art Dubai, the Sharjah Biennale, Museion, Yvon Lambert Gallery, and the Royal Academy of Arts.

He has also contributed to The Art Newspaper, Flash Art, Vernissage magazine, Neo2, The Mia Journal, with news and reviews. In 2023, Nicolas contributed an essay on visual artist Santiago Evans on the occasion of his solo exhibition, “Voyeuristic Intentions” at Gallery Sofie van de Velde, Antwerp, Belgium. He’s been quoted in Frieze and Beaux-Arts Magazines.

A regular speaker at Christie’s Education, Sotheby’s Institute, Contemporary Art Society, Goldsmiths University of London, and Artiq, Nico is currently on the board of charity Art Night, and a former Trustee of Siobhan Davies Dance.

Nicolas can also proudly claim to have taken James Turrell’s first selfie!