The lumberjack look
of multi-media manipulator, Paul Shortt, doesn’t seem to fit the image of this
quirky, comedian, photographer, poet, installation and performance artist.
Reviewing his website filled with his galley of photographs and videos of
himself and participants is not unlike watching “The Truman Show” where
everything in Shortt’s life is recorded and shared with the internet world.
Even his reviews are commissioned from Amazon Mechanical Turk for $5.00 for 500
words, which in my book makes him one of the high rollers on the website. That
is to say he’s not cheap but generous; and judging from his work he is also
quite self-effacing and humorous. People have written about his “No photos
allowed” installation piece but I quite frankly enjoyed the inventive posters
he created on “modern greetings.” Those who are interested in novel social
ideas should take a look at these suggestions, even if just for a laugh.
Perhaps that is the most refreshing angle of Shortt’s work is the lack of
seriousness and the full emphasis on playfulness. His museum pieces in “Literally
and Physically” is interactive and designed for adults and children alike.
For Shortt, there
is a child is everyone and it is absolutely necessary to have hands on
experience with his work. People touch and handle each other in some exhibits;
others might climb stairs and hear the creator of the piece laughing on a
recording while you are encouraged to do what the rug tells you, which is “Roll
on the Floor Laughing.” One video is watching Shortt attempt to raise a flag on
a pole. The piece is called “Simple but Complicated” a just under three minute
film showing Paul’s feeble attempt at raising a flag. This is reminiscent of
Andy Warhol’s recording 24 hours of the outside of the Empire State Building.
It seems sort of meaningless yet like most things on Youtube one just watches
it because you want to be entertained. You’re hoping that maybe the video of
Paul’s car break down is just the thing that will pick you up. There is a
funny, cuteness about Shortt that reminds you of a handsome Seth Rogan with his
curly hair and scruffy beard. You can imagine him picking up women with a
“missed connection” message written on a huge birthday cake. He has lots of
great ideas, clever images and is literate! To Paul Shortt’s credit, he’s not
just some spaced out guy on an ego trip but a real artist. Born in 1981, this
31-year-old BFA graduate of Kansas City Art Institute takes his work seriously.
He is currently studying for his MFA in New Media at the University of Illinois
in which he expects to receive this year in 2013. It will be interesting to see
how Shortt develops and evolves as an artist. He’s talented and savvy and knows
how to connect with an audience. With many artists going in for shocking
performance art, Shortt seemed comfortable with his PG-13 rating, and should
be.
