Polar Ardor

Polar Ardor (2021)

A short animation about polar life and love created by Camille Wainer (camillewainer.com) in collaboration with composer Sanford Bender (sanfordbender.com).

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.

What Is Sustainability?

"Deep in the Woods" by Sanford Bender
"Deep in the Woods" by Sanford Bender

Sustainability refers to something lasting or perpetuating into the future.  This conscientiousness and accountability for the holistic world can alleviate the threat of a diminished quality of life or even species extinction caused by environmental damage, human exploitation and neglect.

This concept can be turned into action by first understanding the detrimental impact that we make by building without understanding, and then discovering harmony with the natural environment and its complex ecosystems.  Being sustainable implies not only changing the way we build, but questioning and altering our lifestyles and monetary values into an alternative that offers better health and well being through coexistence with the natural replenishing world.

From this awareness, we can develop a well thought out methodology of design prerequisites and environmental requirements for factors such as site context, mechanical systems, material resources, and indoor spaces that guides us into a bright future for successive generations of all living things.