Talk to the screen

It's existential terror, of course, that causes our penchant for irony. Or is it? If you ask Justin Marshall, it's screen-based media. We can barely express our joy at finding an ally in television hatred. Marshall works in staged performance photography and video and opens a show Friday, Oct. 19, at Thomas Robertello Gallery, 939 W. Randolph St. (thomasrobertello.com). Titled As Seen On TV, the exhibit investigates the hypothesis that "the screen acts as a protective barrier against emotional connection, empowering individuals to live safe but isolated lives steeped in irony and psychological implosion." Exactly.