Shave (1977)

In Shave the artist uses the video camera as audience and mirror. He stares into the lens, whilst paradoxically wearing sunglasses which hide his eyes. Working methodically, he first shaves his face of morning stubble, wiping his face clean, rubbing his chin and considering the result. After a pause he breaks the fourth wall separating audience and viewer to create a comic self-portrait of ‘the artist’, complete with beard and beret. A final illusory gesture signals ‘lights out’ and ends the video recording.