S4 E7: Film As Visual Haiku with Ben Stamper
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 I talk with Ben about his intuitive approach to filmmaking, the role perception plays in our understanding of the world and the form of art he terms as “Visual Haiku.” You may recall from Season Three of the podcast, we featured author and illustrator Vesper Stamper about her book, What The Night Sings, Both Ben and Vesper have been longtime friends of mine and collaborators with me in The Breath & the Clay creative arts events and other projects.