Aertist is a term used as an alternative for an artist. This term was used by Aleksandr Melamid, modern Russian painter and artist. He used this term to refer to himself. He did not define the term but has stated that the term does not denote artist. His views were different from the views of people who felt that there is something special regarding art. Aleksandr Melamid and Vitaly Komar were classmates. In 1977 they shifted to Israel and in 1978 to the USA.