Humor is a device used for centuries to relieve stress, anger and as a means to speak out about controversial social issues in a non-violent manner. Comedians such as Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Eddie Murphy, Rodney Dangerfield and Dave Chappelle used their comedic genius to speak out on behalf of the everyday individual. The comic stands on stage demanding the attention of his audience, much like a sculpture sits on its pedestal. Yet the comic speaks to its audience using the most abundant comedic material, our everyday human follies
It is my intent to first entertain the audience with a punch line, a visual signifier that induces laughter.
Once laughing, I attempt to inform the viewer of the social commentary present in each work. I use
self-deprecation in order for my audience to identify with my work. It is the humor in my own actions
that allow me to observe the folly of others.
I only ask my audience to laugh with or at me, and for that moment, they no longer think about life as stressful but find the humor in it. Even if it is only for that moment, we can say, damn that’s funny and laugh together.
Beau Raymond
A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done.
-Dwight D. Eisenhower
Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments
slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place.
-Mark Twain
Humor is just another defense against the universe.
-Mel Brooks
Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh,
since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.
-Kurt Vonnegut