Crack Up at the Shake Shack
by voyvak, March.22.2009
Shannon Plumb's cinematic studies of life's various roles and characters explore the complexities embedded in the ordinary and extraordinary. From the humble persona of a new mother to iconic figures from the silver screen, Plumb portrays these characters with zest and humor. Inspired by the curious spirit of slapstick comedy and the physical humor of silent film legends such as Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, Plumb employs a low-fi aesthetic by using Super-8 film, stationary camera shots, long takes and hand-made props and costumes. Plumb is a one-woman show starring as all characters and acting as the creative force behind her films. The low quality production of the films and her elastic expressiveness as an actress adds to the charm of her work and pushes it beyond its obvious predecessors and influences.
In her latest work, The Park, Shannon Plumb captures the diversity of Madison Square Park in NY—its flora and fauna, its people, and its myriad uses. Her twelve short films, from footage originally shot on 16mm, track the comedy and, at times, tragedy that comes with living our private lives out-of-doors. From the inescapable cell phone calls of others to the plight of the urban dog, and its walker, from a groundskeeper battling both nature and technology to a hapless production assistant of a nearby movie set, we recognize all of Plumb’s characters. Screened within the context that they were first observed, Plumb’s stories provide a playful yet piercing mirror onto ourselves, our actions, and our city.
Shown daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on four outdoor video screens on the grounds of the Shake Shack at Madison Square Park from March 19 - April 23.
