All is well

Barred Owl – Drawing by Sanford Bender 2014

The declaration that “All is well” would pertain to a specific event since it certainly cannot apply as a universal world perspective at all times. I composed this music as a mantra to emerge out of a difficult dilemma for which I could not change the outcome. The guitar duet brought to me a sense of peace in recognition of life’s inevitable flow. Once, I drew a barred owl in less than a minute’s time as the nature rescue center bell was heralding its imminent closing. In that moment, I sensed that the owl and I were both “well” despite previous traumas that had limited our abilities to fly gracefully in the twilight.

All is Well” composed and performed by Sanford Bender

“All is well” composed and performed with two acoustic guitar tracks by Sanford Bender

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.