top of page

Visual Artist

Alessandra Stradella is an Italian artist, born and raised in Venice, living between Europe and the USA, and currently based in Philadelphia where she works as Philosophy Professor. Her grandfather, Bepi (Giuseppe) Marino, was a painter, of a post-impressionist school.

​

In 1990, while completing her studies in Philosophy at the University of Ca’ Foscari (Venice), she came across the theatre and started her theatrical studies and professional career as an actress in the theatre and cinema (1990-2000).

 

In 2000, she moved to the States, where she earned a M.A. in Philosophy at Georgia State University (2002), and a Ph.D. in Philosophy at Emory University (2008), with a specialization in Philosophy of Art and Aesthetics. It was the experience of the theatre that led her toward Philosophy of Art. And Philosophy of Art, the study of Action Painting in particular, brought her to painting, and back to her grandfather.

​

She works in abstraction, mainly using acrylic, graphite, charcoal, and pencils on paper, canvas, and panel of various scales. 

​

Although she loves abstraction as an outside-of-concepts realm, it is also true that philosophy informs her artistic search. 

​

166b7ebb-9ebc-4dd5-a954-1032aac71808.JPG

Curriculum vitae

 

 

RESIDENCIES, INVESTIGATIONS in PAINTING

​

  • Mudhouse Residency: Artist Residency, Agios Ioannis, Crete, Summer 2021 

  • Together Apart, A Shelter for Artistic Practices, Proyecto ‘Ace, Summer 2020

  • Summer Studio/Critique, organized by PAFA, Pennsylvania Academia of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, July 6- August 14, 2020.

  • Work in Progress, workshop of specialization for artists, organized by R.A.R.O. Madrid, June 2020.

  • Joya Air: Artist Residency, Vélez Rubio, Almeria, Spain, August 2019

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

  • In Memoriam, Solo Exhibit, Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA, September 21--October 12, 2022

  • Collective Exhibits, Art et Al., Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA, April 2019 - now

  • EXHIBIT AWARD: March 2019: Third prize as Abstract Painting at the Annual Exhibition at Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia. 

 

 

ACADEMIC EDUCATION

 

  • Ph.D. Philosophy, Emory University, Atlanta, May 2008. Dissertation: Aesthetic Education: David Hume and the Theatricality of the Self. Advisor: Dr. Donald W. Livingston.

  • M.A. Philosophy, Georgia State University, Atlanta, May 2002. Thesis with honors: Tolstoy on Art. Advisor: Dr. Milton Snoeyenbos.

  • Laurea in Philosophy, magna cum laude, Ca’ Foscari University, Venice, Italy, June 1994.

 

 

THEATRE EDUCATION

​

  • Diploma in Acting, Actor Studio. Director: July Garfield (New York). Venice, 2000.

  • Professional Workshop for Actors and Directors The Languages of the Theater: Spanish, Diploma in Interpretation and Acting. Director: Guillermo Heras Toledo. Florence, 1996.   

  • Professional Workshop for Actors and Directors The Languages of the Theater: English, Diploma in Interpretation and Acting. Directors: Carl Miller, Yvonne Brewster, Marcello Magni, Kathryn Hunter (Royal Court and Bush Theater, London). Florence, 1995.

  • Diploma in Acting and Commedia dell’Arte, Acting School A l’Avogaria. Two years education in body language, voice, textual analysis, and acting. Venice, 1991-1993.

 

 

PUBLICATIONS in AESTHETICS

 

  • “Performance Art and the Seduction of Theatricality,” Philosophy Study, 2(3), 2012, 163-171.

  • “The Fiction of the Standard of Taste: David Hume on the Social Constitution of Beauty,” The Journal of Aesthetic Education, 46(4), 2012, 32-47.

  • “On Grief: An Aesthetic Defense,” Philosophical Practice, 6(2), 2011, 803-810. 

  • “The Dramatic Nature of Our Selves: David Hume and the Theatre Metaphor,” Literature and Aesthetics, 20(2), 2010, 154-167.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL ACTING IN THE THEATER AND CINEMA: 1995-2000

​

  • Amphytrio, from Plautus. Director: Eugenio Allegri. Tournée 1998-1999

  • La donna dei telefoni bianchi, in I Piccoli Maestri, a film by Daniele Luchetti, 55^ Film Festival, Venice, 1998 

  • The Theater of Garcia Lorca, excerpts from El publico, Yerma, Bodas de Sangre. Director: Guillermo H. Toledo (Madrid). Florence, 1997

  • Pinter’s The Lover, Director: Yvonne Brewster (London). Florence, 1996

  • Woman’s Portraits in the Italian Lyric, Recital thought and performed for High Schools’ students. Director: Giuseppe Emiliani. Tournée 1995-1996

  • Ciak Ciak Tumb Tumb, excerpts from the futurist theater. Director: Alessandro Bressanello. Venice, Carnival 1995

bottom of page