Alex Guofeng Cao

Turkish Bath vs Grand Odalisque, After Ingres

2011

Alex Guofeng Cao discovered his passion, photography, in New York. Inspired by such masters as Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, Edward Weston and Robert Mapplethorpe, Cao studied and experimented with all methods and techniques of photography. While adept with color, Cao’s preferred medium is the black and white image. HIs deep fascination with the subtle gradations of tone between the deep black and the stark white are the genesis for all the colors he needs to create his world. Cao’s most recent body of work is a series of images of popular culture icons. At a glance almost anyone can identify some, if not all, of his subjects. But upon closer inspection, one can see that the images are composed of a constellation of tiny repetitive images each slightly differing from its neighbors. The arrays of miniscule visages that compose and conspire to form the larger portraits are iconic images themselves. The plot thickens as one realizes that there is a dialogue between the chosen characters that inhabit each other. The method of creation for Cao is that of composing a mosaic of memories into an impression of the present. Impressed and greatly influenced by the ideal forms and proportions of the iconic and statuesque sculptures of the ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman eras, Cao’s works can be said to have their roots in Western antiquity. Another source of inspiration are impressions from his trip a decade ago to see the mosaic floors and walls of Naples and Pompeii. It’s the combination of these two base strategies that allows Cao’s works to take shape. The images are imposing and arresting. With their immense dimensions, their presence can be felt from quite a distance away. The powerful oversized main images and the armies of tiny images that compose them are specifically paired to create a dialogue. The histories and backgrounds of each of the characters are pitted against each other. The image of Marilyn Monroe is populated by countless diminutive images of the Mona Lisa. These two women are, arguably, the most famous women in the world. They share an unusual bond in that they are both, in some ways, fictional characters. The pairing also suggests another connection in that they are both fantasies. One is the fantasy of the 20th century and the other is the singular fantasy of Leonardo DaVinci. As one looks closer at the images and scrutinizes all the intricate details, one may begin to realize that hidden within the sea of tiny repetitive images are carefully chosen codes and clues that the artist inserted in strategic locations as a reminder of the events and situations in which these characters were involved in history. In the end, the process of encoding and layering of information of the times is ultimately the goal. As time passes, information gets deposited into the works. These images undergo evolution and change and bear the marks of a collection of history, as well as the artist’s intent.