Henry Shearer

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Henry Shearer: The Silent Echo Chamber

Project Room

January 29 - March 31, 2010

"If I had to proclaim my philosophy of humor, it would be: Comedy is good, reality better. After all of these years and all that videotape, I still adore television's ability to transmit unvarnished depictions of human behavior. The problem is that most of those depictions are sliced and diced to an incoherent julienne before you ever see them. Like the best chefs, I search out the exotic raw materials, then do minimal processing." ≈ Harry Shearer

One of America's most prominent satirists, Harry Shearer is well known to the masses as the voice of the Simpsons and as Derek Smalls of Spinal Tap. Shearer is also host for the public radio comedy/music program "Le Show" for KCRW, has published three books, recently released a music CD with his wife singer-songwriter Judith Owens, and has been touring with "Tap" members Christopher Guest and Michael McKean as "Unwigged & Unplugged."

Through a stint as writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live in the Eighties, Shearer discovered the satellite news feed. Fascinated by the wealth of untapped material floating in the ether, Shearer began to collect and air his "Found Objects" at www.harryshearer.com. Peopled by well-known media and political personalities, each segment captures those awkward moments before "going live." At best we are encouraged to consider the unquestioning faith we put in our talking heads, at worst we are entertained.

For The Silent Echo Chamber, Shearer has selected a collection of 15 of these "Found objects," which will be presented as DVD loops in the Project Room. Personalities include James Carville, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Chris Matthews, Dr. Phil and Larry King.