This is a project where I pay workers on Amazon's Mechanical Turk to review my art and website and pay them $5 dollars for 500 words. This is the 24th review I've received:
Paul Shortt’s art
is original and contemporary and invokes conscious feelings and impressions of
life and customs for the average citizen. Shortt is able to take a simple
structure or truth from everyday life and turn it into a thought-provoking and
sometimes humorous depiction. The art displays his strong sense of realism and
humor in every piece documented on film. Gazing a Paul Shortt’s art helps one
to perceive the innate style and artistry evident in modern life. The vivid
photographs stir a sense of realism and curiosity in every picture that can be
sensed by the individual. The artwork is inspiring and makes one consider the
intricate designs and patterns of daily life in which they reside. Shortt’s art
even challenges boundaries of what is considered proper conduct. In “Modern
Greetings”, Shortt explores the various ways that individuals could choose to
greet each other from fairly acceptable to hilariously absurd methods. In
“Please No Photo” Shortt clearly takes a photograph of an area despite the
warning, and the viewer can clearly observe the resulting image for him or
herself. In “Please Do Not Climb”, Shortt invites an individual to sit down on
the sculpture, but upon closer inspection the inscription forbids one to do so
in the same instant. It is the same type of renegade abandon and rhetorical
questioning that one can find embedded in daily life within American society
that is flawlessly captured in Shortt’s art. In “Corner Piece” and “Pillory for
Marketplace Mall”, Shortt explores the restraints that societal expectations
have placed upon individuals. These works do well by representing the barriers
that obstruct an individual’s freedom which are sometimes self-imposed. “The
Narcissist” is also a collection of photographs in which individuals at a
workshop identify and celebrate their egotistical tendencies. Shortt shares his
insight into the matter by adding humor and acceptance into the project, and
the self-description each member wrote is undeniably truthful for many others.
“Free Poster” is
one of my favorites because it simply reminds people that nothing in life worth
owning is really free of charge. It is because of the uniqueness and the utter
realism of the art that makes them modern masterpieces. Each image is gifted
with an underlying message that penetrates the subconscious and the centers of
high favor within people. What makes his art special is that some of the
features of the art that are viewed in Shortt’s colorful collection can
actually be found in life when one pays closer attention. Shortt’s art
possesses a metaphorical sense of individuality, community, and rebellious
humor poised against societal standards and restrictions. The messages implied
with each image are reflective of the emotions and inquiries that people often
possess in secret. The artwork promotes the essence of a human culture that is
both hidden and obvious, and this rare combination creates a unique experience
for the viewer. Some of the messages implied are simple to understand, while
others are more thought-provoking and lead to a deeper examination of What Is.
It is without a doubt that Paul Shortt’s art indeed leaves a “p.s.” in one’s
mind long after the image passes. I would recommend this collection to every
modern artist or general appreciator of art to discover the scope of a man’s
insights into how the world is perceived through his eyes and others. Every
piece of Paul Shortt’s artwork is especially designed to make a striking
statement. The simple truths implied within each work speak first to the mind
and then fuse in the soul. The art pinpoints the issues in an unconventional
light and beckons each person to make a meaningful connection within
themselves. Both seasoned collectors and the ordinary person can appreciate the
raw essence of Shortt’s artwork and its sheer originality. The conventional
works of Paul Shortt will truly carve out a sector of the human psyche that is
not found in historical art and is much appreciated in the modern world where
the real message is often obscured. ---A.Austin
