The Venus Effect
The Venus effect is a phenomenon in the psychology of perception named after various paintings of Venus gazing into a mirror (Titian's Venus with a Mirror, Vasari’s Toilet of Venus, Mary Cassatt’s Mother and Child.) The Viewer assumes that Venus is admiring her own reflection, but since the viewer sees her face in the mirror, Venus is actually looking at the reflection of the viewer. This phenomenon is explored in relationship to the psychological landscape of Los Angeles repeatedly through Alexa's work via painting, video and installation.
As in her video work, Alexa tends to work juxtaposing ideas and images that explore the concept of multiplicity. In attempts to unearth the possibilities and limitations of feminine representation she delves into doubling and fragmentations"of the self" in repetitions and series. Through the process of repetition the images are turned into icons and mirror themselves, as if becoming film stills.
As in her video work, Alexa tends to work juxtaposing ideas and images that explore the concept of multiplicity. In attempts to unearth the possibilities and limitations of feminine representation she delves into doubling and fragmentations"of the self" in repetitions and series. Through the process of repetition the images are turned into icons and mirror themselves, as if becoming film stills.
