HARRY SHEARER : Face Time
October 8 - 16, 2004
"The whole country seemed changed into one vast arena...on which
the two parties, forgetting their national character, were wasting their
time, their thoughts, their energy....In such a state of things, what room
remained for the arts? None."
- John Trumbull, 1793
In an election year when both parties are involved in a life-and-death struggle to score the ultimate victory and when the airwaves are overflowing with political messages and spin from candidates, campaigns, parties, assorted partisans and media commentators, Conner Contemporary Art is totally psyched to present Harry Shearer's Face Time. Shearer, one of America's most prominent satirists, aims to provide relief and reflection with his video installation.
Shearer, who has appeared in such films as Spinal Tap and A Mighty Wind and who does the voice for many characters in The Simpsons (including Montgomery Burns), has an eye for contemporary absurdity. Face Time is not political art in the sense that Shearer seeks to score partisan points or to poke at one side or the other. Through the appropriation of television feeds - which he then coolly deploys -Shearer literally transforms these fleeting, all-too common images into media art. Should you smile … should you cringe? Shearer creates the space for reflecting upon the ubiquitous media universe and its inhabitants.
There will be an opening night reception Saturday, October 9th from 6-8pm. The artist will be in attendance.