Shaye Saint John burst onto the YouTube scene in 2006, with short, usually 3-5 minute works of absurdly beautiful extravagance that achieved both epic horror status and outright original comedy genius. Shaye garnered a relatively large following, probably not knowing what the heck to make of her, him, or her. Indican Pictures created and released a DVD in 2004. Apparently some festivals and curators had shown the work, but as usual, most of the experimental curators were asleep at the wheel having blindly left out the amazing work of Shaye Saint John.
Shaye’s character consisted of other worldly qualities, almost strange; speaking in a strange alien voice and looking like something between a crippled mutilated mutilated victim and a severely botched plastic surgery patient (a backstory of Shaye being a former model in a horrific car accident that was severely disfigured had been spread). Shaye shot with her in any condition and established herself as something of a star with entrepreneurial initiatives like duct tape sessions and drip diets. His epic phrases (“God! Gams! Twenty-four-seven!”) Were delivered in a way that was all Shaye; a language of his own, which exists in a world of his own with his sometimes partner Kiki and friends (imaginary?) with whom he joked on the phone.
Apparently, Shaye’s action was taking place in Los Angeles, as indicated by Shaye’s first street performances in a wheelchair taking photos with tourists in Hollywood. The Los Angeles scene was fitting, but it could actually have been anywhere, USA, as we see the reality that aspiring star transgressions exist across the country; the allure of doing it, dieting to look like celebrities, and ultimately becoming that star or star in some way. An ingrained American dream that attracts the charm of every corner of the country.
A legend in his own mind seemed to be Shaye. But Shaye’s legend was solidly cemented electronically and globally through the digital landscape, as evidenced not only by online views, but also by strong reactions, outright confusion, and high praise garnered; Shaye was, in fact, the real deal.
Actually, the real deal was Eric Fournier. He was the creator of Shaye Saint John. The exact details are unclear; Was he the one behind the bizarre mannequin mask? Was he the accelerated voice from another world? Since many of Shaye’s pieces appear to have a “moving camera,” perhaps Eric was behind the lens, directing all the action and providing the dialogue. We only know about Eric from the “director” credit he left on the DVD. It was assumed that she played Shaye, but it was never confirmed that I know of.
Sadly, Eric died earlier this year in late February. There are some old producer credits on his IMBD page, and some notoriety attributed to him for being in a well-known punk band during the ’80s called The Blood Farmers. Other than that, little has emerged from this writing and from this online search for writers.
YouTube accounts don’t automatically die when the physical body stops working, so Shaye continues to live in the electronic landscape, getting more and more views on a daily basis. On Shaye’s YouTube profile page, comments report and acknowledge that Shaye (Eric) has passed away. Many of the comments, from hatred to praise, show the strong and effective absurd force that we have lost.