Riding into the Starlit Night

Darkening evening on the ride home -Sanford Bender

Since I don’t go to the park until later in the afternoon, I am often there riding my yellow bicycle back to the car as dusk sets in. I quicken my pace as the inky blackness settles around me, and the few farmhouses and barns are left behind. Gazing up into the lofty pines upon hearing the distant hoot of a great horned owl, I begin to perceive myriads of stars glittering above me. The music in my mind that I hear that evening may not arrive until another day. But, the melodies and rhythms have already embellished my soul, and like the stars, will gradually reveal themselves in their delicate splendor.

Polar Ardor

I am excited to share news about the short film Polar Ardor, my musical collaboration with animator Camille Wainer.

POLAR ARDOR

A short animation about polar life and love.

Inspired by the paper cut style of early animator Lotte Reiniger, Polar Ardor incorporates the additive techniques of woodblock stamping and Chine-collé printmaking to recreate a delicate landscape threatened by division and deterioration. The whimsical music of composer/architect Sanford Bender accompanies each stage of the polar bear’s journey through a varied composition using only two symbolic forms (the heart and the puzzle piece). Simply and subtly, Polar Ardor offers an optimistic message about the importance of collaboration and compassion in the face of an uncertain future.

Release: 2021

Length: 1.33 minutes

ANIMATION BY : Camille Wainer

MUSIC BY: Sanford Bender

PRODUCED BY: Documinute Productions LLC

You can watch the trailer below and check out Camille’s other films on her website.