Harry Shearer: The Silent Echo Chamber

This exhibition brings together several videos compiled by an unexpected artist — Harry Shearer, the film, television and radio personality and political commentator. Through a stint as writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live in the 1980s, Shearer discovered the satellite news feed. Fascinated by the wealth of untapped material floating in the ether, Shearer began to collect and post what he considers “Found Objects” on his own website. Peopled by well-known media and political figures, each segment captures those awkward moments before going live on the air. Shearer does nothing to alter the glassy-eyed stares and off air distractions, leaving us free to seek meaning from their blankness and banality. At best we are encouraged to consider the unquestioning faith we put in our authorities, at worst we are entertained. Either case lends itself to further debate, drawing us into deeper questions about truth and authenticity in our constantly shifting visual culture.