As the art world converges on Miami, renowned artist Alex Prager has unveiled a breathtaking homage to her hometown of Los Angeles at Miami Art Week. This immersive installation, aptly named “Mirage Factory,” is a recreation of Hollywood Boulevard, complete with a new photograph that nods to the golden era of cinema. Prager, who expertly blends Old Hollywood aesthetics with stunning cinematic visuals, achieves this by meticulously staging her photographs as if they were film sets, complete with special effects.
During a recent walkthrough, Prager expressed her excitement about sharing the creative processes behind her work. “Usually, the viewers don’t get to see the worlds I’ve constructed—the set pieces and locations for my photographs. It would be wonderful to create something that reveals the inner workings and offers a visual ode to the city that is such a part of me,” she explained.
Prager, a self-taught artist who left high school early, is celebrated for her storytelling abilities through photography and short films. Her work often blurs the lines between reality and illusion, drawing on the vivacious spirit of Los Angeles, a city brimming with possibilities and dreams. Her latest creation, “Mirage Factory,” is featured alongside a new piece, Hidden Hills (Echoes), showcased at Art Basel Miami Beach by her long-time dealer, Lehmann Maupin.
The “Mirage Factory” is housed in a former Miami Beach movie theater, brought to life by the private art club and creative agency, The Cultivist, in collaboration with Capital One Bank. The installation debuted with exclusive events for Capital One cardholders and The Cultivist’s esteemed members, including artists like Sam Falls and Es Devlin. The exhibit also boasts an enchanting dining room inspired by L.A.’s Griffith Park, where Chef Dave Beran crafted a multi-course feast using California produce, culminating with an innovative appetizer of mustard greens dipped in passion fruit juice and dry ice.
The evening’s entertainment peaked with a live performance by the legendary Diana Ross, captivating less than 200 guests as she performed timeless hits like “Stop! In the Name of Love” and “I’m Coming Out.”
Now open to the public, “Mirage Factory” welcomes visitors to explore Prager’s miniature Los Angeles, purchase themed merchandise benefiting the L.A. environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay, and view her latest work, Beverly Palms Hotel. This piece, depicting a glamorous cocktail party, is both cinematic and slightly ominous, consistent with Prager’s signature style. The exhibit also features a live performance with the photograph’s characters, complete with elaborate costumes and makeup.
Prager’s installation begins with a peaceful orange grove, evoking Southern California’s past as the “Orange Empire,” which receded after World War II as the region transformed. This nostalgic setting is recreated with the fragrant scent of citrus, leading into a miniaturized cityscape featuring iconic landmarks like the Pantages Theater and Hollywood Hotel. Intricate details, such as Spider-Man on a bench, add a playful touch, all crafted with the help of a family-run miniature-making business Prager has collaborated with for nearly two decades.
A soundtrack enhances the immersive experience, highlighting the city’s precarious existence, susceptible to natural forces like Santa Ana winds, water shortages, wildfires, and earthquakes. “The city shouldn’t exist naturally,” Prager remarked. “Yet, against all odds, it flourished into a creative powerhouse, narrating global tales on the silver screen.”
Prager’s fascination with cinema is deeply rooted, having briefly ventured into acting as a child in a 1990 episode of Tales From the Crypt. This experience fueled her lifelong passion for film craftsmanship and special effects. Her grandmother, surrounded by actor friends, further inspired her by gifting her costumes and props, nurturing a vast archive in her Silver Lake studio.
Anticipating her feature film directorial debut, Prager has written “DreamQuil” with her sister Vanessa. Starring John C. Reilly, Elizabeth Banks, and Juliette Lewis, this psychological thriller explores a woman’s unsettling retreat experience, where an android clone replaces her at work and home.
Despite her cinematic endeavors, Prager continues to create compelling visual stories through photography. Her latest, Hidden Hills (Echoes), features a domestic scene with intriguing characters and was sold out at $55,000 per edition on the opening day. The photograph’s perspective challenges viewers, inviting them to delve deeper into its narrative.
Prager values the diverse portrayals of Los Angeles captured in films, contributing to the city’s mythology. “I’m Los Angeles born and raised and always end up back there,” Prager stated. “There’s a maddening magic to it, a sense of ‘what if’—a unique allure that feels like anything is possible.”
“Alex Prager’s Mirage Factory” is on display at 430 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, Florida, from December 2–5, 2025.
