Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirk Shannon-butts
Hi Kirk, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Like many Creatives, I am experiencing dual and paralleling careers in the Arts. During film school, my Film Theory Professor, said, “You should be able to pause your film and have a perfect frame like a painting.” With that, I spent most of my time going to museums, galleries, and bookstores looking at paintings and photography and studying how artists used space and placed people and objects in their compositions to tell a story.
When I left film school, first I worked in Fashion in New York City working on fashion shoots, again using my film background in Production Design, Costumes, and Wardrobe. From there, I met gallery directors and artists and started co-curating and eventually curating my own exhibitions.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No. Nothing dual is smooth. It is a multiplicity. The struggle is all of the outside forces. The Arts are always under extreme scrutiny from many without a depth of understand the function, role, and importance of art in society. Many of these same people have positions where they control the universal funding for the Arts and will cut the funding and budgets when they have all heard of the saying, “Starving Artists.” It is time to feed, support, understand, and fund the Arts as Artists culturally feed, inspire, and leave important documentation of the time. These is a great need for equanimity over unnecessary struggles.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my traditional career, I am an Art Curator. In my world, I am a Filmmaker. Filmmaking is where all of my creative gifts are sourced from. I have written and directed two (2) feature films, “Blueprint” and “Julien’s Bed.” “Blueprint” is my opus. It is entitled blueprint for a reason. It is an easy mantra and guide to follow – your own set of rules based upon society, moral codes, and self preservation. I specialize in films that are not cliche or predictable. My films are original because they are mean. I am not retelling a story. It is fresh.
Two years ago, my great-nephew called me out of the blue (no pun), and told me I came up in his class via “Blueprint.” Also, this year our new chief of staff told me he was a “fan of my work.” Of course, I thought he was talking about the curatorial and exhibitions I have produced for the company. Then, he said, he watched “Blueprint” at university. Not only does this make me proud, it is establishes the blueprint.
I live a meaning filled life. My sisters are everything to me — as well as my family. Our mother and sisters set me apart. I was always 100 without fear or guilt. Just free. Always a sense of freedom and discovery. I don’t get bored easily, but I am always open to what is next.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck is like religion. Very obtuse. It is way to unmeasurable to invest in or to quantify. Faith, commitment, preparation, dedication, and hard work are real.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.FLICKERIA.com
- Instagram: @flickeria_kirk
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Flickeria/
- Twitter: https://x.com/flickeria
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@phlickster
- Other: https://vimeo.com/380801146
