Interview With Alex

Wow, its been a while since I've had anything to say here. Not that things haven't been happening. I've just been a bad webmaster. But that has come to an end now that I can announce that I interviewed Alex over the weekend! We talked for quite a while about...well read it for yourself. And then come talk about in on the message board (link on the right).

More on (Re)building

Alex's exhibit will be open to the public starting July 16th. She will be there on the 16th so if you want to check out her or her exhibit...

Here is a blurb about the exhibit:
“My hope is to examine as closely as possible that which “is,” in its most primitive stage, with all of its past and all of its potential.”

The beauty of what is and what will become is the subject of Alexandra Hedison's new show “(Re)building.” “(Re)building” is a continuation of her show in 2004, “Elements,” which consisted of a series of color abstract landscapes. In “Elements” Hedison challenged the viewer to see beyond barriers. In her upcoming show, she takes the viewer past obstructions to the core of the subject. The series consists of medium format color photographs from the past year, which delve into complicated themes such as change, transition, and progress. She places the viewer inside of unfinished spaces, such as a house in the middle of construction, allowing the viewer to see beauty in the strength of the foundation while still feeling anxious about the changes taking place.

The photographs present the notion of the core staying the same, while the outside is adapting and evolving. During construction a house is unfinished, and it is in this vulnerable state that there is magnificence in both its simplicity and honesty. Although her work encompasses change, it is not about the demolishing of the old, but rather the rebuilding process itself. Her images reveal the framework, support beams, exposed wires, rebar and other materials that hold a house or building together. The images focus on the most essential aspects of construction and development that mostly go unnoticed and are eventually forgotten. In her new show “(Re)building,” Hedison invites the viewer to witness “the making” and by doing so, accept the past, respect the current state of things, and anticipate the future.

Alexandra Hedison is a native of Los Angeles who made her professional transition from acting to photography in 2000. Hedison's work has been published in Time, USA Today, NY Times, People, and Newsweek. In 2004 she was accepted into the American Film Institute’s (AFI) distinguished Directing Workshop for Women, and directed a short film for AFI in August of last year. White Room Gallery is proud to be exhibiting Hedison's photography once again and invites you to witness the process and work of “(Re)building.”

I saw (Re)building

Well I made it to the exhibit opening on July 15th. It was fun being there, when I walked into the gallery, I saw Alex right away. The best part was just seeing her smile, and interact among her friends and family. She looked great, of course...I like her taste in jewelry- very simple. Her eyes are simply stunning, they are this beautiful brown color. I didn't get any pictures, I would have felt like a tourist. But there are some on the photos of Alex page. Alex told me that she is going to be on season 3 of the L Word. That should be juicy. She did give me permission to share that, just so you don't think I'm a big blabber mouth.

New Exhibit

Alex will have a new exhibit entitled “Rebuilding” that will open July 15, 2005 at the White Room Gallery in Los Angeles. The exhibit will run through August 20, 2005.

Boardie Visit with Alex’s Dad

Lips was nice enough to get this photo autographed for fanofalex.com and she sent it to me!! Thanks!! ;)




What follows is a first hand account of meeting Alex’s dad- courtesy of Lips. Thanks!

It was about 2 hours' drive from London to Swindon. He was supposed to appear at 4.30pm but I got there around 3pm so I had a lot of time to kill. I was feeling very excited and nervous at the same time. The venue was in a shopping mall so I could walk around the shops. When I got bored I started taking photos of the venue where David was going to be appearing but the security guard asked me what I thought I was doing!!! Like as though he couldn't tell I said a film star is coming into that shop!! I don't think he believed me and told me to push off. Taking of photographs are not allowed in the mall. Funny, there was nothing around to say David was appearing until you stand right outside the shop (InfinitelyBetter Bookshop) and they posted a couple of A4 posters of him on the window.

The shop was shut until 4.30 so his fans had to queue outside and for some reason I cannot explain I couldn't bring myself to join the queue. Could it be because most of them were big, burly macho men discussing James Bond and clutching books, dvd covers, etc related to Bond for David to sign and I felt out of place??? I waited until the shop opened and joined the end of the queue. Silly me! I could have been first in the queue! We were let in the shop one at a time so that there are only 3-4 people mingling around.

When it was my turn, I was so excited. It was a long walk to the shop and David was seated at the back with another chap who handles the money. It felt like an eternity to reach him. David is truly a very sweet, soft spoken, polite man who makes you feel so at ease. There are no airs about him. He wasn't as tall as I expected him to be. Maybe he had shrunk??? Anyway, he said hello to me with his beautiful smile and showed me all the photos he had brought with him. I had to buy one so that I can get one of my own for him to sign. There were photos of him with Roger Moore, with Timolty Dalton .There was one of him in ‘The Fly’’ I told him I watched that film last week and asked me if it was on tv and I said I have the dvd of it and I love it especially when he was trapped in the web at the end going ‘help me help me’. I bought one of his pics in License to Kill coming out of the helicopter. While he was signing I sneakily took a photograph. He is so sweet, he asked me who to sign for.
Then I was allowed to bring out my own photo for him to sign. So I pulled out a photo of him I had printed. I said to him 'I love this photo. It is so beautiful'. He looked at it with amazement and said ‘Oh it is an old photo. I don’t remember when and where it was taken but it is old’. By this time there were quite a few people mingling around his desk looking at his photos so I whispered ‘Your daughter took it’. Suddenly he remembered but he couldn’t understand how I knew. So I said ‘I’m a big fan of hers. I love her work. I bought one of her photos from her exhibition last year.’ He couldn’t believe it and wanted to know how I managed to buy a photo from Alex. He said ‘So my daughter must know you.’ So I explained that I had bought it through her website via the internet. He was really fascinated and started asking me questions like whether I saw the photos displayed on the internet. I told him his website has an advert for Alex’s website and he was really happy about that.

I had another photo I had printed for him to sign but I had to buy another one of his first. By this time he was getting busy. I wanted a bit of privacy with him as I wanted to ask him about Alex so I pretended to look around the shop and let the people behind me see him first. Then I bought another photo of his from Voyage to the bottom of the sea. Before I brought out my own photo for him to sign I said ‘You’re not going to believe this, I brought a photo of you at the premiere of License to kill (The one of him with young Alex)’ He didn’t believe me at first, but when I showed him, his face lit up.!!!

Pointing to Alex, he said ‘Do you know who this is?’ It was too funny.!! I said ‘Yes! I know! she is your daughter Alexandra.’
He said I seem to know a lot. He was sooooo happy and proud of Alex. He wanted people to see her. He showed it to the chap next to him and said ‘This is my daughter’ Then he asked me who do I want the photo signed to. I showed him a piece of paper that said ‘fanofalex.com’ He read it slowly and then suddenly he remembered ‘Oh, fanofalex!! Who started it?’ So I said Becky.

While he was signing, I said ‘I’m really surprised you know about fanofalex.’ He just smiled. I think Alex must have told him. Then I thought, this is my big chance, it’s now or never so out came the question I have been dying to ask . ‘How’s Alexandra?’ He said ‘She’s doing very well. She’s very well’ He said it with a big smile and really meant it. Then I said ‘ Is she planning anymore exhibitions of her photographs?’ He said yes, July 15th in LA same gallery (White room). I told him I’m thinking of buying another photo of hers. He was very happy.

We shook hands and said goodbye. I said ‘July 15th’ just to make sure I had the date right. He confirmed. July 15th!! As I was walking away he shouted to me ‘Her birthday is July 10th’ I put a ‘thumbs up’ sign to him and said ‘and yours is May 20th’. He said something like you know a lot about me. I said ‘You are a lovely family’ and he said ‘thank you’

Alex Hedison's short film

Alex Hedison's short film is entitled "In the Doghouse" and was written by herself and Moon Zappa. Alex directed the 8 minute film over the summer and into the fall. It is to be shown Sunday, April 17, 2005 at the Ozark Foothills FilmFest. The subject of the film is "sometimes pets and romance don't get along."

Alex Sighting

Good news for all you Alexandra Hedison fans who have been waiting a while to see new pics...

Alex attended the American Express "Jam Sessions" at the House of Blues on February 11th with her good friend Kathy Najimy. Feast your eyes on the pics.

Doesn't her hair look sooooooooooooooooo cute???

Inspirational passage for Alex and anyone else who is going thru a difficult time

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity
and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with god,
whatever you conceive Her to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.
With all its shams, drudgery,
and broken dreams, it is still beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

(I don't know who wrote this but I just love it and it makes be feel better when I read it, so here's to you Alex...)

Alex's Exhibit "Elements"

A Serene Hollywood Scene

Halle Berry joined Ellen DeGeneres and an A-list crowd last weekend at West Hollywood's White Room Gallery, for Alexandra Hedison's photography exhibition called "Elements." Hedison, a former actress and renowned photographer, said the show is about "Corners and details and screens and lines." But Hedison's girlfriend, DeGeneres, is also one of the photographer's favorite subjects. "I love shooting her," Hedison revealed. "I mean who wouldn't?"

"I'm really proud of her," DeGeneres told us. "She has such an amazing eye. She sees things most people don't." Jill Hennessey agreed. "It's incredibly serene and meditative," she told us of the photos. And Constance Marie added, "In the entertainment industry there are so many things that make you go, ‘Eh,' so we need a little, ‘Ahhh.'"

Funny man and photography buff Ben Stiller found Hedison's photos to be simple, but not pretentious. "A lot of art and photography is pretentious. And when people talk about it they sound pretentious," Stiller stated. "When the art of photography is not pretentious itself, then you in turn don't sound as pretentious when you're talking about it. So I enjoy that because now I won't sound pretentious talking about it."

One things for sure, after this show, everyone in Hollywood will be talking about Alexandra and her camera.

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"Perhaps what I am presenting in my work is the beauty and perfection of the moment we are in now. I am presenting the position of "now" and "here" versus the projection of what we think is better and more desirable beyond."

Framing, grid patterns, color combinations, lines, layers, and composition all contribute a sense of urgency and peace to Alexandra Hedison's photographs. The photographs are all connected in that each image places the viewer in one position looking out onto a variety of abstract landscapes. Hedison's screens have to do with obstacles, the things that interrupt or stand between us and the beauty that lies beyond. She challenges the viewer to see things in a different way through her choices of unique framing. The framing acts as obstacles to the outside scenery, whether it is a curtain or a layer of trees. Although the viewer is aware of the obstacles posed by the photograph, the grid patterns and pattern repeats allows one to be comfortable and relaxed in their position. In many ways Hedison allows the viewer to see the beauty in the barriers, while questioning the relationship between the journey and the destination. The series is an overview of Hedison's medium format color photographs from the past four years.

Alexandra Hedison is a native of Los Angeles who made her professional transition from acting to photography in 2000. Her work has been published in Time, USA Today, NY Times, People, and Newsweek. This year she was accepted into AFI's distinguished Directing Workshop for Women and will be directing a short film for AFI in August.

Gossiping

I've been somewhat trying to avoid discussing the whole Alex and Ellen thing out of respect for their private lives. I don't think I'd like my break up to be public. However, it is kinda big news and ignoring it is like pretending there is no elephant in the living room.

However, I don't like to perpetuate things that are not true and relying on what is being reported out there is shaky ground. That's all I'm going to say. If you want to know the scoop you'll have to find it somewhere else.

I hope this blows over soon so that Alex can get back to living her life to the fullest. I hope that she just...comes back from this and kicks ass at whatever she does, and meets the most fabulous, gorgeous woman.

Why I'm starting this website

I'm starting this website as a fan of Alex. She is talented, beautiful and needs a piece of cyberspace for herself and her fans. Seeking other fans!