Belgian astronomer Georges Lemaître was the first to theorize that the universe was born from what he identified as the “primeval atom.” His hypothesis states that the present universe is the result of the radioactive disintegration of an atom. There is something so beautifully paradoxical about the theory that the entire universe we live in is the result of the disintegration of one molecule - and as incomprehensible as it may seem, this pattern of expansion through destruction is tried and proven over and over again.
Shit Art Club’s birth and growth is not dissimilar to the narrative of Lemaître’s theory. Our universe began with the disintegration and abandonment of the small idea that emerging artists who aren't sitting around painting pretty pictures on canvas would be allowed to enter the commercial art world. We knew that there was no room for us in an industry that deemed anything not accepted into the commercial canon as “shit.” So we created our own universe.
Our big bang started in a small house in Mar Vista, CA with a daytime event modestly titled, Shit Art Show. It was completely void of any curatorial aspect. In retrospect, having a show like that had a far more important impact than we ever thought it would have at the time. It allowed us as artists, our friends and the strangers who attended to see artwork in the context of life. While a gallery setting with gorgeous white walls and even light is most certainly the best way way to view and experience art - it is also a beautiful thing to see art in an environment so unexpectedly raw. Art can make political statements, emotional statements and intellectual challenges - however, it is inherently romantic, anarchist and doesn't always have to have a function - which often leads to it not making much sense. It took some time for us to grow and mature as artists and creatives, and as we did and continue to we are not afraid to abandon more stereotypes and rules to make room for more creativity. We are prepared to kick function and form to the curb. We are prepared to throw pretentiousness and modesty out the window. We are prepared to invite anyone to come into our home and join us on our creative crusade. Mark Twain famously wrote: “It's no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense.” What Shit Art Club does might not make sense - but it true, honest, authentic and real.
As we have grown as artists, our collective has expanded and finally set roots in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. Although we have taken on many different projects, once a year, we host another Shit Art Show to remind ourselves and everyone that Shit Art Club is a community built by artists for artists. These shows remain to be so lightly curated that there is often no uniting theme other than the fact that we are all artists. We feel that this method really allows us to celebrate both our similarities and differences.
Shit Art Show 3 - on January 25th, 2020 will be a Shit Art Show unlike any other. For the first time, we are not putting on the show at a house, but we are putting it on in our own home. Working with artists we have in the past and working with new artists. It will be anarchy - but there will be a natural order. We have since learned that while you can’t find harmony in discord - you can still find a beautiful melody. We continue to celebrate this discover through each Shit Art Show. Come visit us at Shit Art Club’s Universal HQ on January 25th to experience what it is like to put the artists behind the wheel. It is like a symphony made up entirely of conductors - or a ballet full of prima donnas. Step into our world to celebrate the beauty of synchronicity and discordance of conceptual and aesthetic anarchy in our universe.
Please come join us.
xx,
Peter Pan, Loser Angeles and The MAC
Shit Art Club
Artists:
Loser Angeles
The MAC
Sofia Heftersmith
The Most Famous Artist
Sticky Shaw
Nick Green
Cory Hackbarth
Sam Rivera
Demi Boelsterli
Phil Anderson Blythe
Mom Love Art
Bryce Hurlbut
Jeffery Parise
Jesse Guglielmana
Jake Joseph
Svetlana Shigroff
Lucy Eyears
Exhibition Curated and Designed by Shit Art Club.
Photos below by Matthew Miller.
