Alexandra Grant Collaborates With Keanu Reeves for New Exhibit ‘Shadows’

Sandra Miska

The latest photographic works from Los Angeles-based artist Alexandra Grant are to be displayed at the ACME. “Shadows,” Grant’s latest solo exhibition, features works created through her collaboration with none other than actor and writer Keanu Reeves.

“Shadows” explores the nature and qualities of shadows as phenomena, images and metaphors. Reeves posed for Grant in a variety of poses, and she was able to photograph his shadow in various movements, “capturing mysterious silhouettes to haunting traces of light as Reeves and the camera move together.” Afterwards, Grant reversed the light for dark and made the shadows themselves the source of light, creating an x-ray effect.

The ACME. conveys, “These intimate black and white images, a record of a private performance, are printed by Steidl (a German-language publisher) on large scale velour paper giving the photographs a velvety matte surface. The exhibition will feature a sequence of Grant’s [‘Shadow’] images creating an overall cinematic effect or visual language.” 

The “Shadows” project also includes several smaller scale limited edition color prints that were produced at The Lapis Press in Culver City as well as a book published by Steidl, which features photographs by Grant accompanied by texts written by Reeves. A book signing with Grant and Reeves will take place Feb. 27 at the ACME. from 3 – 6 p.m.

Grant is a text-based artist who works in a variety of mediums including painting, drawing and sculpture. Her works often explore the ideas of translation, identity and dislocation. She often collaborates with other artists and writers; In addition to Reeves, she has worked with her long-term collaborator, hypertext author Michael Joyce, as well as artist Channing Hansen and philosopher Hélène Cixous.

Reeves is an actor, writer and musician who is best known for starring in “The Matrix” films as well as alongside Sandra Bullock in the action thriller film “Speed.” He first came to prominence as time-traveling slacker Ted Logan in “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” In recent years, he has experienced a career revival with films such as “John Wick” and “Knock Knock.”

“Shadows” by Alexandra Grant will be on view at the ACME. Feb. 13 – March 12.