When I first looked
over Paul Shortt’s site I wasn’t quite sure how I felt. It’s so often hit or
miss as to whether an artist’s works will click with an individual – it’s like
blind dating, but entirely for aesthetics instead of sex. My first impressions
were of the “Please No Photos” collection. I immediately wanted to dislike this
“artist”, because anyone can hold an out-of-the-ordinary item in public and
take pictures with it. As I continued to move temporally backwards through the
pieces, however, instead of seeing what I viewed as more laziness, I saw a
succession of different approaches, art that isn’t just spectacle and a camera,
art that doesn’t necessarily get framed, or is even purchasable. That’s when I
started to think that my initial impressions warranted further rumination. As
it turns out, I found myself enjoying a tremendous number of the projects
Shortt has captained over the years. Rather than allow his artistic endeavors
to remain passive experiences, Shortt’s works frequently engage the viewer
directly, actively, and often physically. Also, as it turns out, he actually
seems to put a great deal of thought into the reasoning behind his pieces. For
example, the initial “No Photos Please” collection that so dismayed me
originally, was seen through a new light when accompanied by the artist’s
discussion of the event with another artist. Though it’s still not my favorite,
I can at least appreciate the thought that went behind the symbol, and it’s
relationship to the medium used. Another thing that won me over was his
enthusiasm and honesty. Though I don’t believe Americans need lessons in
narcissism, it doesn’t mean it should be wiped from existence- and the idea of
a controlled burst of it, almost like a dose of medicine, was quite the idea. It
could be a partial reflection of Shortt himself, as his business card project
and letters of reference hint at a twisted narcissist residing in his brain.
Further pushing this was the use of awards in different projects. Whether
arbitrarily awarded and potentially insulting, or self-created, self awarded
affirmations, the awards both point out how we seem to be capable or throwing
praise at just about any action, all it takes is a piece of paper with a little
bit of gold foil to validate the victory. I’m tempted to make myself an award
for writing this review. The “It’s simple but complicated” series was a huge
disappointment in that there wasn’t more of it. Though the flag one seems to
hit one on the head with it’s message, the fact is that the videos are short,
enjoyable, and offer the opportunity for more thought if allowed. The kernel of
this idea was one of my favorites, but has yet to reach the robustness of some
of his other projects. My favorite visual, physical piece was the piece of art
that was never meant to be a piece of art – the “free poster”. I want one quite
badly – the 24 by 36, because you really have to embrace it. I love the
accompanying “Resist” poster as well – but it lacks a directive about
nose-picking (a personally favored indulgence of mine against society’s norms).
The cherry on top, however, is discovering that this review for which I’ve been
recruited , is actually part of a project by Shortt. He’s made an art project
out of paying others to talk about his art. It could probably be argued that
this connects directly to those strings of skewed narcissism witnessed in other
pieces. It could also be argued that this is another example of laziness in a
project. It could also be argued that this is awesome, avante garde, etc. Art
is about arguing after all. It’s also a ballsy move to pay a stranger money to
say whatever they want about his art. I’d have to say that after taking
everything in, I’ll probably be looking at this site again, even if I don’t get
paid for it. By the way, under the “collaborations” you’ve spelled back and
forth “back and fourth” under the video entitled “Making the Wind”. Keep
arting.
