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The Artifact Artist

Russ Kendall
United States, 2018, 23 min.

In English.
This film is family friendly.

Uprooted from the forests of Connecticut to move to New York City, 9-year-old Scott Jordan declared, "I won't be a city kid!" Forty-five years later, Scott is an urban archeologist, an Indiana Jones in Gotham. By handing digging out centuries old privies, cisterns, and landfills across the five boroughs, Scott preserves and brings new life to New City History by creating artifact art with the treasures he finds.

Director's Statement

As a filmmaker, I seek out stories of unique individuals that live a singular life leaving indelible impressions on those around them. This is Scott Jordan. I met Scott as he was selling his artifact art work and jewelry at an outdoor market in NYC. He looked like he stepped right out of the Old West. A stark contrast to the urban jungle surrounding him. As Scott told tales of his adventures digging up Revolutionary War era artifacts from privies right in the heart of NYC he opened an incredible world. I knew I had to share his story.

Category: Documentary, Festival Alum.
Themes: Anthropology, Arts, Community.