That word 'funny' always makes me feel uncomfortable. Because if I were trying to be funny, I would be something like Bill Wegman - he really tries to be funny. I don't try to be funny. It's just that I feel the world is a little bit absurd and off-kilter, and I'm sort of reporting.

In this quote, John Baldessari expresses his discomfort with the label of being "funny" and clarifies that he doesn't consciously try to be humorous. He contrasts himself with Bill Wegman, who is known for deliberately trying to be funny, suggesting that Wegman’s approach feels more forced or performative. Baldessari, in contrast, sees humor as a byproduct of his perspective on the world, rather than a goal he actively pursues. He believes that the world is inherently absurd and off-kilter, and his role is simply to observe and report on this reality.

Baldessari’s view of humor aligns more with absurdism than traditional comedy. Instead of making an effort to create humor, he positions himself as a kind of reporter, pointing out the oddities and contradictions in life without intentionally seeking to entertain. His understanding of humor is more observational, where the humor comes from seeing the world’s incongruities and presenting them in a way that resonates with others. This perspective positions him as an artist whose work might inadvertently be humorous, but it’s not driven by the pursuit of laughs.

The discomfort Baldessari feels with being labeled "funny" speaks to his philosophical approach to both art and life. By distancing himself from traditional comedic intentions, he implies that genuine humor arises organically from how we perceive and engage with the world around us. This sets him apart from artists or performers who actively craft jokes or punchlines for the sake of amusement.

Ultimately, this quote reveals Baldessari's belief that humor can emerge from simply observing life’s absurdities and contradictions, rather than from a deliberate attempt to create it. His approach to humor is subtle and reflective, a byproduct of his worldview rather than a conscious artistic decision. In this way, he suggests that the most authentic humor often comes from just acknowledging the weirdness of the world without trying to control or fabricate it.