Ben Stamper is a filmmaker and artist based in the northeastern United States. His work spans narrative, documentary and contemplative genres with a particular interest in the patterns of nature and human movement.

Ben has worked with groundbreaking artists and institutions, including Meredith Monk, the Paul Taylor American Modern Dance Company, New Chamber Ballet, and Matthew Rushing of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. 

Ben’s recent projects include Grisha, which is a sign language film based on a short story by Leo Tolstoy, (C)arbon, which is a three-gallery video installation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in collaboration with choreographer Andrea Miller and Gallim Dance.

In this episode Stephen talks with Ben about his intuitive approach to flmmaking, the role perception plays in our understanding of the world and the form of art he terms as “Visual Haiku.”

Erik Lokkesmoe is the owner of Aspiration Entertainment, a Nashville-based company that produces, markets and distributes “screen forward” entertainment for aspirational audiences. He is an executive producer of the 2015 New York Times Critics Pick film LAST DAYS IN THE DESERT, starring Ewan McGregor.  

In this episode, Stephen talks with Erik about his work in the film industry and what Erik terms as "the middle place," where artists with a faith background engage the general market with creativity and conviction. 

Hans Rookmaaker was a Dutch Scholar and art professor. He is most known for his book “Modern Art and the Death of Culture.” In this episode, Stephen discusses Rookmaaker’s views on art as an act of faith versus art as religious propaganda.