Fully Coherent Plan: For a New and Better Society by David Shrigley, book review

by Emilia Barbu

Could this book work better than the world’s actual policies?

Is our current reality more absurd than Shrigley’s depictions and risks leaving his chaotic view of humanity feeling almost optimistic?

Looking at Trump’s most recent nominations I’m tempted to say yes. Yes to all.

But let’s start at the beginning – I love Shrigley to death.

Shrigley, the book, the man, the review

And if you’re not familiar with his work, 1. What are you even doing with your life?

2. He’s a British artist who draws, paints, illustrates, makes books, produces music and “creates all manner of other paraphernalia” as per his own description. His Instagram page is one of those accounts I automatically like and share, because his ability to blend the grotesque with the funny, the silly with the profound and the disgusting with the adorable is truly unique. He’s also received a bunch of awards, international critical acclaim and has a very fun looking shop in Copenhagen, that he opened with gallerist and friend Nicolai Wallner.

We’re here, however, to discuss one of his books.

The Fully Coherent Plan: For a New and Better Society takes his usual approach to life – everything’s ridiculous and nothing’s right – and spins it on his head, adding a layer of societal and political commentary on top of the absurd humour and wonky illustrations that define his style.

Published in 2018, you can feel the Brexit vibes and the disenchantment oozing out of it.

But if you think you’re going to find any tips and tricks or anything resembling a plan inside it, well, you’re wrong. Coherence, however, there’s plenty: especially in the act of holding a mirror up to society, Shrigley manages to somehow make complete sense out of utter nonsense. And yes, it turns out that nonsense really is a staple of humanity – consider it our signature style. And consider this book a good contender for potential aliens looking to understand our ways. Sure, they’ll be confused, but, really, so are we?!

It’s back cover alone should give you a good idea:

“CLOSE YOUR EYES

I invite you to imagine a plan for a new and better society where everything is very coherent and makes a lot of sense and nothing is confusing or awful

OPEN YOUR EYES

No need to imagine. Here is the plan. The plan is illustrated. The plan is quite complicated. But not too complicated. I think you will be thrilled by it. I am certain you will be thrilled by it.

No need to read massive volumes or use the internet

JUST READ THIS

ONLY THIS”

His lack of commas? Iconic.

Our only hope for a somewhat better society? Laughing at ourselves.

The book debuts with a legally binding agreement — we’re serious people after all, and then proceeds with 11 chapters that almost sound like they mean business. And they do, just not the way you’d expect them to, perhaps.

Society in general how it is boasts lunatics and a great lesson for humanity: we should have learned from dinosaurs’ mistakes. Other highlights? Common social plagues: “mouldy process, encrusted leadership, civil blight, bending head, mildew, neighbourhood canker, false dawn, group wilt, stem rot, root rot”. Other favourite affirmations: “The problem you are part of it” and “Lots of hammers but no nails” – a good Hinge bio if I’ve ever seen one.

Chapter 2 explores the Requirements for leadership and charisma as well as the ability (or the need) to kill different opinions seem to rank pretty high.

Chapter 3 is all about Infrastructure – we tend to rely on fragile glass structures (not more fragile than our egos, for sure) as well as a range of places of worship – they just keep popping up seemingly overnight. A lot like popcorn!

Moving on to the economics, we’ve got bugs for sale, valuable dust (and no, it’s not the spice on Dune), a balance between gold and shit (guess which one’s heavier) and something I resonate with on a deep level: sunbathing is work. And yes, if you’re wondering, a good state of economy relies on your cat having your job, and you getting the cat’s job. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Shrigley continues in a similar fashion through arguments we as humans tend to hold dear – culture, the law, power and politics, social stratification, society and the individual, dirt and society (yes) to finish it all up nicely with conclusions. Just like a nice, respectable, fully coherent plan for a better society would do.

Each illustration and description is its own world of delight and you’ll laugh, you’ll sigh, you’ll nod in disappointment and, hopefully, you’ll take society (and yourself) less seriously – after all, as Shrigley reminds us, “actions of groups tend to be largely without reason and can be predicted sometimes according to air temperature”. It’s funny (and humbling) ‘cause it’s true.

So, really, “cheer up you miserable bastard” – we have no plan, society is definitely not better, but we’re still pretty new in this universe. Might as well have a laugh while we’re at it.

Shrigley’s book is on the illustration shelves of the Glitch Library. Find this and some other 1000 titles on Dacia 57, Bucharest. Visit us on Thursdays and Fridays!