ChicaSkas 23,354 Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 Last month, while researching material for the 24 Days of Christmas Advent for GagaDaily, I ran across an interesting photo, one that I can't quite remember seeing Gaga in. After all, it's been nearly 10 years since the Fame Monster era and the many zany outfits Gaga wore at the time. But I wasn't 1000% sure. This led me down a Google rabbithole -- discovering professional art photographs that imagined things Gaga might have done -- essentially, spoofing Gaga, inadvertently promoting her even more through them. The internet rabbithole led me to Alison Jackson. Ms. Jackson is a performance art photographer, whose unique specialty is using celebrity impersonators to increase fame and buzz around those celebs. This is a fascinating and sometimes confusing dive into how the general public interacts with images of their favorite star, like Gaga. In many cases, they believe the model to be the actual person. In itself, this playing with reality is a study in celebrity culture -- something Gaga herself has pioneered. (Remember when she used to say stuff like this every other interview? “I'm telling you a lie, in a vicious effort that you will repeat my lie over and over until it becomes true”) Essentially, that is exactly what Alison Jackson is doing, too. She kindly granted me an interview, to explain to us the concepts behind her Gaga model art, why she does what she does, and her new disgustingly, delightfully on-point comedic spoof of President Trump; currently touring now. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ By chance, while doing research for the site, I discovered your Gaga Fir Tree piece. Immediately, I tried to remember where had I seen her wearing this dress before. It is exactly something she'd do for Christmas! I could have sworn I'd seen it. Only after a bit did I discover, with a little sadness, that this particular picture wasn't her. But it was so fresh, and apt and simply SOMETHING she would have done -- that I kept it anyway. You've taken the very thing Gaga plays with, Fame itself, and how we as fans perceive what we are fed by media -- and very nicely out Gaga'd Gaga -- with herself! Or what we think is her. Can you tell our readers, what led you to dream up this piece of Gaga decked out like a Christmas tree? I wondered what she might be inspired by at Christmas time. Lady Gaga has always been playing with fashion, firstly to express herself and also to start conversations on sensitive subjects. Not only is she the contemporary Queen of Pop one could say, but also with her personality and personal statements, whether it's through fashion or music, send positive messages to her fans. When she wore that famous "meat dress" at the 2010 MTV award she made moral and political allegations against the military system in the USA. She has often criticized the capitalist system and it seemed to me that she might easily wear something about the materialistic madness around Christmas. Not to say Christmas time is not symbolic and positive but commenting on what it has become in the market place. Lady Gaga as a Christmas Tree could definitely be an outfit she would not only rock but display for people to talk about. She is always in the news and I am interested in the stories that are created around her, whether true or exaggerated – it’s interesting - is it her marketing or really happening? Which of your works would you recommend as a starting point for fans who aren't familiar with you yet? For any Lady Gaga fans, I’d recommend my work of Gaga collecting rubbish and meat for her new outfit designs! Take a look at my recent photographs and videos on Donald Trump and royal family as well. Trashy Gaga! These are really cool! What was that dumpster photoshoot like? Do people ever see you filming and actually think you are shooting the star herself? It was fun, chaotic, spontaneous and full of surprises, good and bad! Like all creative work - When you shoot lookalike personalities doing crazy things, like the dumpster photoshoot, you cannot expect anyone to remain serious – although we are all very serious trying to look and do our best! We must have looked quite a sight. I always have a vague idea of what I want to create to begin with but by the end, with the whole dynamic during the shooting day changing, you have to be prepared for the unexpected. That's why the models are very important because they have to be willing to take risks, have fun and try everything! People outside the shoot will often believe the models are the star themselves even when they come very close to the lookalike and can see it's not them. Chances are most people have only seen celebrities through TV or magazines so when they see someone in person who very much looks like a star, their brains will believe 100% it's them even if that "look alike" is not perfect. Flash mobs appear and people start screaming for a selfie! Who is the model you chose to represent Lady Gaga? I work with five different models and actresses. All have different angles and attributes. It is either the face shape, the costume and the wig that really transform the subject into the celebrity. Then I have to focus on lighting, angles and just catching that moment as the shutter clicks! Anyone else out there think they could double as Gaga? (If you, GGD reader, think you could be a FauxGa, pm me here on GGD or DM me on twitter and I'll get you in touch with Alison Jackson) What I find so amazing about several of your Gaga pieces is that your art eventually became true -- you shot Gaga "on the can" in I believe 2010, snarlingly gripping her TP, and then, in 2011, Terry Richardson also caught Gaga in real life, on the throne.Then you have the image of a Model-Ga romping through a dumpster to pick out trash pieces for her trash dress, and later on, it came true almost -- Richardson shot Gaga, in a trash can. Your choices are so plausible that they actually in some cases occurred! What did you think when you discovered some of the photos you shot had actually later taken place? The lines between what is considered ‘fake news’ and what is real, are often blurred. Life imitates art in many ways and vice versa, especially concerning celebrity culture. Sometimes I shoot a scene and then it really happens in real life which is crazy! I once shot ‘Beckham’ in the locker room and the next week the real story came out in the press – I gave the press my non-real photographs and videos of the scene which they published immediately! And when Prince Harry was caught naked in the hot tub in Vegas with a bunch of girls the press were sure my fake pictures were the real deal. I often try to think outside the box and put together an extreme scene that would probably never happen but of course everything happens in this show-business world. We want to see the celebrity’s glamourous private lives, the celebrities and the publicists give this to us for PR reasons and the media make it go round, but sometimes crazy private things just leak out and that’s the best and most fun part. Your work has covered many celebrities over the years, from Diana to the Donald. Which of your subjects has challenged you the most? The subjects that can be the most challenging are the ones who would be challenging in real life I would say. ‘Donald Trump’ embodies the character of the real Donald Trump – which can be very difficult (and hilarious) – imagine working with a monster! But that is nothing compared to the trouble I had making his wig! Such a complicated hair style… Your new project debuts in March in the UK, what can we look forward to, without spilling all the beans, of what it might be like? Without spilling too much I am looking for a Lady Gaga lookalike - does anyone out there look like her and want to be in one of my photographs or theatre show? I’m very excited to be going back to the stage in the West End and I am putting together an immersive show, all the audience will get involved -- I will reveal the secrets behind a photoshoot, how to audition, style, make over the models into Stars! And all the difficulties that come with it. You’ll get to meet my ‘Donald Trump’ - who has traveled all the way from the States to be with us for the show. There’s also an opportunity for an audience member to become a STAR too during the show. It's very exciting and fun, and very in line with my work style. There will also be celebrity makeovers and I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes anecdotes! I’d love to see you all at the show! Thanks for your time, Ms. Jackson! If you want to be a part of Ms. Jackson's performances, or get a ticket to see her in the UK, you can click here for more information! To see her new show, 'Double Fake', featuring the escapades of Donald Trump, and other celebs, click here:https://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873592815 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ by Katharine Styles-Burroughs for GagaDaily.com Do YOU own the 4' by 6' Perfect Illusion promo Poster? Will pay you for it. 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SHALLOW 16,465 Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 Ally Jackson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeleteMyAccount 11,881 Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 Alison Jackson. Interesting. haha Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zander 14,911 Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 This was great. Thank you! I remember stumbling across her work a couple of years ago and always loved the stuff she does with the Royal Family especially the ones with the Queen doing such mundane and ordinary things. Had no idea she had done Gaga! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
That J 12,166 Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 What an interesting person and cool interview! I would have never learned of her without this so wow...great job. Thanks for doing and sharing this. I worked for years as a print news reporter and I was able at times to get interviews from celebrities of old to kind of check in and such. A good example would be Justine Bateman who was a sitcom star of the 80s (very cool lady). So when I read interviews, I'm always impressed by good questions and you did a great job here!! Thanks. The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChicaSkas 23,354 Posted January 19, 2019 Author Share Posted January 19, 2019 8 minutes ago, That J said: What an interesting person and cool interview! I would have never learned of her without this so wow...great job. Thanks for doing and sharing this. I worked for years as a print news reporter and I was able at times to get interviews from celebrities of old to kind of check in and such. A good example would be Justine Bateman who was a sitcom star of the 80s (very cool lady). So when I read interviews, I'm always impressed by good questions and you did a great job here!! Thanks. Thank you very much I'm glad you like it! Do YOU own the 4' by 6' Perfect Illusion promo Poster? Will pay you for it. Pic: http://i.imgur.com/UWuzumk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumours 45,521 Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 @ChicaSkas giving us that interesting, wholesome content that makes her a GGD icon. Great interview! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
That J 12,166 Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 6 minutes ago, ChicaSkas said: Thank you very much I'm glad you like it! I always look forward to your posts because I know I am getting something unique, valid and cool. You have always gone above and beyond for this group. Much love. The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breakdown 444 Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 I could be that FauxGa, I totally look like her Jk. It was really interesting to read, thank you for introducing us to this art photographer. Very good interview! So starry eyed on the flowery hillside, breathless and fervid amid the dandelions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaMaisonGaga 23,884 Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 Okay but the looks are extremly tacky and "obvious" lamaisongaga.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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