Alex Prager, 4:29pm Van Nuys (2012)
Los Angeles based artist Alex Prager is showing internationally for the second time in her rapid rise, showing Compulsion simultaneously at Yancey Richardson in New York, M+B in Los Angeles, and Michael Hoppen Contemporary in London. Paired with a short film titled La Petit Mort (French for ‘the little death’—a euphemism for sexual orgasm) the exhibition is both a substantiation and a deviation of her previous work. Featuring scenes of film noir, tense, and poised-to-erupt, the Hitchcockian damsel in distress and Prager’s unmistakable retro touch are all on view.
Alex Prager, La Petit Mort (2012), film still
Alex Prager, Eye 8 Electric Tower (2012)
While the artist’s earlier material left the before and after surrounding the image more open to interpretation, this show charges the captured moments and in turn compels the viewer to partake. Each photograph in Compulsion is narrated by an accompanying eye; these eyes may belong to the image subject, a bystander on the scene, or the participant themselves. Prager opens the dialogue between tragedy, frenzy and an obsession and compulsion to observe it.
Alex Prager 11:45pm Griffith Park (2012)
Alex Prager, Eye 4 Roadside Victim (2012)
Alex Prager, 4:01pm Sun Valley (2012)
Alex Prager, Eye 3 House Fire (2012)
Alex Prager, 3:56am Milwood Ave (2012)
Alex Prager, Eye 1 Flood (2012)
Alex Prager, 3:14pm Pacific Ocean (2012)
Alex Prager, La Petit Mort (2012), film still
La Petit Mort is a six minute episode in the life and death, freedom and ecstasy of a character portrayed by French actress Judith Godreche. The fearfulness of death is replaced by a dreamy escape through a dark yet beautiful body of water. Godreche navigates the murk while appearing at turns curious and sublime. The piece works to demolish some of our uneasiness regarding tragedy and speaks in a language of transcendence.
Alex Prager, La Petit Mort (2012), film still
Alex Prager, La Petit Mort (2012), film still
—D. Cloninger
Related Links:
NYC Exhibition Site [Yancey Richardson]
LA Exhibition Site [M+B]
London Exhibition Site [Michael Hoppen Contemporary]
Can’t Look Away [New York Magazine]
Alex Prager: La Petit Mort [Nowness]
