Laika 1954 is an Italian street artist. The name was born as a reference to the first living being to arrive in space, the dog Laika, born in 1954. There is also a reference to Leica, the famous camera.
The choice of Laika as a stage name is linked to the concept of wanting to "aim for space", to never set limits. Aiming for space also allows you to observe the world from afar, to have a broader vision, without limits.
Laika has decided not to reveal her identity by wearing a mask. Anonymity, in fact, guarantees her greater freedom of expression and diverts attention from aspects of her personal life, making us focus only and exclusively on her messages.
The mysterious charm of this almost “asexual” figure has led many to define her as “the Italian Banksy”, a definition attributed mostly by the international press. D di Repubblica included her among the “100 Women who change the world” of 2021.
His activity was the subject of a documentary film entitled “LIFE IS (NOT) A GAME” directed by Antonio Valerio spera, presented at the 17th edition of the Roma Cinema Fest in the Freestyle section. The event sold out in less than 48 hours.
Some of his works are exhibited in Bologna at Palazzo Albergati in the collective exhibition “Jago, Banksy, TV Boy and other countercurrent stories”.
In February 2023 she was awarded as “Protagonist 2023” at the Nastri d'Argento for documentaries.
In 2024, the work entitled “мир - PACE act II”, created on March 8, 2022 and dedicated to Russian and Ukrainian women, against war, will become part of the permanent collection of the MOCO Museum in Amsterdam. From May to September 2024, Laika will take part, with 4 works, in a prestigious group exhibition entitled “MASKS”, at the Serlachius Museum in Männtä, Finland, together with artists of the caliber of Paul Gauguin, Alberto Giacometti, Pablo Picasso, Man Ray, Ai Weiwei, Giovanni Gastel, Luigi Ontani and Delphine Diallo. The exhibition is curated by Dr. Lorella Scacco.