About
In the year 2000, at the zenith of the dot com boom, the elusive artist known as SINTRON created "iSellPoop.com", a transgressive piece of digital art that pushed the boundaries of artistic expression and technology. The e-commerce website, which sold various forms of sheep feces, not only satirized the excesses of the internet's commercial explosion but also challenged the traditional understanding of high art and its relationship with commerce. By incorporating the figure of the sheep as both the source of the feces and the inspiration for the website's logo, SINTRON weaves a multi-layered commentary on consumer culture, artistic value, and the commodification of art.
"iSellPoop.com" is an e-commerce website that embodies the aesthetics and design of the early internet age, showcasing various forms of feces as purchasable commodities. This juxtaposition of the lowbrow, even juvenile subject matter, and the innovative technology of the time is a central aspect of the artwork's message. SINTRON leverages the sophomoric nature of the work to challenge the traditional notions of high art, encouraging viewers to question their preconceived ideas about what constitutes art and the role of technology in artistic expression.
You're Full of Sheep
The use of sheep feces as the central subject matter of "iSellPoop.com" serves multiple purposes. On one level, it underscores the absurdity of the concept, forcing viewers to confront the ludicrous nature of the items on sale. However, the choice of sheep as the source of the feces also alludes to the wider implications of consumerism and the role of the masses in perpetuating this culture. In this context, the sheep can be interpreted as a symbol of conformity and mindless consumption, as the animals are often associated with herd mentality and a lack of individuality. By presenting sheep feces as a commodity, SINTRON highlights the absurd lengths to which society is willing to go in pursuit of material goods and the ultimate futility of such pursuits.
The sheep-inspired logo of the website further reinforces this message, acting as a visual reminder of the herd mentality that drives consumer culture. The playful and seemingly innocuous logo stands in stark contrast to the subversive nature of the artwork, creating a sense of cognitive dissonance that invites the viewer to question their own role in the cycle of consumption.
A Sale is a Sale
Remarkably, "iSellPoop.com" did make an actual sale, which adds yet another layer of complexity to SINTRON's artwork. The fact that someone was willing to pay for the feces raises pertinent questions about the nature of art and its relationship with commerce. The sale of the feces demonstrates that, in a society driven by consumerism, even the most repulsive and seemingly worthless items can be commodified and assigned value. This realization challenges the traditional notion that art should exist solely for its aesthetic or intellectual merit, as it suggests that art, too, can be bought and sold like any other commodity.
The sale of the feces also raises questions about the role of the artist and the art market in the commodification of creative expression. By engaging in commerce and profiting from the sale of the feces, SINTRON inadvertently highlights the tension between artistic integrity and commercial success. This tension underscores the paradoxical nature of the artwork, as it both critiques and participates in the very system it seeks to expose.
In summary, SINTRON's "iSellPoop.com" is a provocative and deeply layered work of digital art that emerged at the height of the dot com boom. By incorporating the figure of the sheep as both the source of the feces and the inspiration for the website's logo, the artist masterfully weaves a commentary on consumer culture, artistic value, and the commodification of art. The sale of the feces further complicates the message, raising questions about the nature of art and its relationship with commerce. Ultimately, iSellPoop.com stands as a powerful testament to the ability of art to challenge, engage, and disrupt, even in the face of seemingly trivial subject matter.
