What does Chris Burden's performance 'Shoot' aim to comment on?

Chris Burden's performance piece 'Shoot' indeed aims to comment on the responsibility of the camera-person and gun control. The work involved Burden being shot in the arm by a friend while being filmed, which starkly illustrates the dynamics of violence and the role of spectators in sensationalizing violence. This performance raises critical questions about the ethics of observing and documenting violent acts, as it places the audience in a position to confront their own complicity in the spectacle of violence. Additionally, it probes into the broader societal implications of gun control, urging viewers to consider their views on firearms and the responsibilities that come with them.

In contrast, while fear, pain, and psychological responses to violence are relevant themes in Burden's work, they do not encapsulate the primary aim of this particular performance. The focus is less on the visceral experience of fear or pain, but rather the commentary on the act of violence being performed and recorded, thus emphasizing the responsibility tied to both the act of shooting and the act of capturing it on film.