> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://hyperallergic.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Sad Keanu Wrote Sad Poetry for a Sad Art Book
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/sad-keanu-wrote-sad-poetry-for-a-sad-art-book/
- Published: 2016-03-07T20:11:32.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T16:47:42.000Z
- Description: Keanu is Sad, a wise meme once said. Now, Sad Keanu is part of an art book, called Shadows, that incorporates the sad thoughts (penned by the Hollywood actor himself) he pondered while eating that sad sandwich on that sad bench.
- Author: Carey Dunne
- Tags: In Brief, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 07:17 (2016, 2017, part 1)

![Shadows_4-5](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2016/03/shadows_4-5.jpg)

Alexandra Grant and Keanu Reeves, spread from “Shadows” (2016) (image courtesy Steidl)

[Keanu is Sad](http://www.buzzfeed.com/memecore/10-best-sad-keanu-images-1ea9?ref=hyperallergic.com), a wise meme once said. Now, [Sad Keanu](http://sadkeanu.tumblr.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com) is part of an art book, called [*Shadows*](https://steidl.de/Books/Shadows-0814242554.html?ref=hyperallergic.com), that incorporates the [sad thoughts](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/keanu-reeves-poses-sad-keanu-666879?ref=hyperallergic.com) (penned by the Hollywood actor himself) he pondered, we presume, while eating that sad sandwich on that sad bench. (“I was born twisted / I don’t want to die”; “I cannot say / all I wish to say.”) These musings are paired with photographs of Keanu’s contorted shadows by LA-based painter [Alexandra Grant](http://alexandragrant.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com), who has collaborated with Reeves on [previous projects](http://www.artinamericamagazine.com/news-features/interviews/alexandra-grant-keanu-reeves-steidl/?ref=hyperallergic.com), including the “grown-up picture book” [*Ode to Happiness*](http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-13838742?ref=hyperallergic.com). Though the photos look like [*Nosferatu*](http://static1.squarespace.com/static/545cb076e4b0f79db68dba06/54c2db54e4b01cdc72caaece/55f9574de4b0f293fc9aa65d/1443784035464/?format=1000w&ref=hyperallergic.com) ripoffs, when the accompanying emo haikus are read in a *Bill and Ted-*esque stoner voice, they might help you realize the truth: [there is no spoon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzm8kTIj%5F0M&ref=hyperallergic.com).

![Sad Keanu meme (image via ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2016/03/p8mpbnolztn23f5ooiah.jpg)

Sad Keanu meme (image via SadKeanu.tumblr.com)

Here, selections from *Shadows.* Read on a bench with a sandwich.

![Shadows_50-51](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2016/03/shadows_50-51.jpg)

Alexandra Grant and Keanu Reeves, spread from “Shadows” (2016) (image courtesy Steidl)

![Shadows_44-45](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2016/03/shadows_44-45.jpg)

Alexandra Grant and Keanu Reeves, spread from “Shadows” (2016) (image courtesy Steidl)

![Shadows_40-41](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2016/03/shadows_40-41.jpg)

Alexandra Grant and Keanu Reeves, spread from “Shadows” (2016) (image courtesy Steidl)

![034_Shadows](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2016/03/034_shadows.jpg)

Alexandra Grant, from “Shadows” (2016) (image courtesy Steidl)

Shadows*,* *by Keanu Reeves and Alexandra Grant, is published by* [*Steidl*](https://steidl.de/Books/Shadows-0814242554.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) *and currently on view at LA’s* [*Acme Gallery*](http://www.acmelosangeles.com/exhibitions/2016-2-alexandra-grant/?view=images&ref=hyperallergic.com)*.*