Freud — The Unconscious
It is important to see life through an objective lens, but the pitfall of existentialism is that it can push us into nihilism. The point of comedy is not to give up the value of life or to surrender to overwhelm, but instead question what we place value on and how life functions.
An existential crisis is when there is no reason to do anything because we interpret nothing to have meaning.
In survival, we create.
A piece might give insight to its own creation whether the creator consents to their own product exposing their thoughts. It is this bleeding of the unconscious, whether it be a conscious decision on the part of the creator, that forms a hammer. The audience, when attentive, can learn a lot about an artist. Our products are a product of us, and we often carry many of the traits of the societies and systems we are a part of. Perhaps the hammer and the mirror are the same tool.
Freud's theory states that laughter is how the unconscious shows itself and allows for a release of tension. I do not think it is farfetched to add that through any product of our creation there will be multiple instances of the unconscious sneaking past the censor.
This reminds me that comedy is found in the least likely of places. In real pursuits of survival, comedy shines.