A Public Character

Emmanuel Rodriguez

A Public Character

Shannon Ebner

Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami


Shannon Ebner’s A Public Character is a simple expression of people’s individuality. The repetition in using the letter A, Shannon Ebner was able to visually portray different looking characters from such a simple thing. The exhibit itself is reminiscent of a long coming into oneself. Such as the piece that used A Starter, A radiator, A Generator…(etc.), The piece gave me the sense that the exhibit was a look into her process of ideas as an individual. I came to this conclusion as I continued  my analysis of the exhibit as a whole, From staring at each and every A to somehow get a glimpse of the meaning. To shooting ideas about how their connection is much deeper than just being really interesting looking A’s. Despite all the variety of the constant use of black and white makes the pieces have unity amongst themselves. The black and white attracts the viewer's eyes to the tiniest of details buried inside of the piece. Making the tiniest curves and dashes move your eyes around and throughout the pieces individually. Another aspect of the exhibit, that really caught my attention was the pieces felt as if you could touch them and actually pluck them off the walls. Personally, I enjoy when art becomes more appealing to all the senses besides sight. I loved Shannon Ebner's choice of lighting especially in the exhibit. She chose to use both artificial and natural light in the Exhibit. The lighting in the room full of the A's was artificial but were lit to give you a professional.But In contrast when you entered the room with A sculpture the light was coming through the window gave a sense of openness to a enclosed area. Shannon Ebner’s A Public Character exhibit was a completely amazing exhibit to me . Her thought of taking pictures of previously standing things, and mildly changing them to present individuality is mind blowing.