ARTIST STATEMENT
I make video collage art as a commentary on gender codifying in the media zeitgeist. Specifically commercials and entertainment media catered to young girls in the late 20th century. I am interested in exploring feminism, consumerism, and decoding social standards in western culture, and how that juxtaposes with my Persian heritage and personal identity. My mother being a first generation immigrant from Iran, I grew up in a household where I could witness that culture clash in real time. As she integrated into western culture after marrying my father – an American painter, I always felt as an outsider to both Persian culture and American culture at large.
In the film I reflect on my own aspirations to be doll-like with a digital soft filter that adds a veil to the authentic self. To accompany the video I make resin figurines as tokens of the film. Some are a statement on the tangible commerce peddled by western media aimed at children and adults. Other figurines are “trophies” of achievement for milestones that women are meant to long for in life to make themselves complete: finding prince charming, getting married, having children, and buying that high-end French baby teether.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Alexandra Tahereh Kaucher was born in 1989 – daughter of John Kaucher, an ex-pat American painter and Elham Khatibi, an ex-pat Iranian contrarian who met in Paris. She now directs and produces with her partner and collaborator on various short-form pieces, music videos, and art projects under the moniker Hiss. She has directed a dozen short form pieces for BBC storyworks in over various countries in multiple languages in addition to making various short video art pieces. Alexandra made Ad age’s The List Generation Next 2022 and the Commercial Director’s Diversity Program 2022. Her directorial works have premiered at Cannes AVIFF, Milano Fashion Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, Aesthetica, Swedenborg film festival, and The Awareness Festival promoting sustainable and green futures. Her work has been published on Nowness, BOOOOOOOOM, Re/ Make, and Alpine Modern.
© Alexandra Tahereh Kaucher