Bob Ostertag

Miya Masaoka uses music to interact with plants and insects; Jon Rose turns fences into musical instruments with a violin bow in conflict zones ranging from the Australian outback to Israel; John Luther Adams translates geophysical phenomena in Alaska into music; and Bob Ostertag explores socio-political issues through processes as diverse as transcribing riots into string quartets, and creating live cinema with garbage. By contrasting the creative paths of these artists, and a connection between them by the world renowned Kronos Quartet, the film explores music not as a form of entertainment, career, or even self-expression, but as a tool to develop more deeply meaningful relationships with people and the complexities of the world they live in.

Brought to life with archival footage, animation, and interviews with collaborators and friends, this sweeping documentary uncovers the impacts of Hank Wilson’s efforts in AIDS service and queer youth organizations, cultural outlets, and San Francisco politics.

An avant-garde documentary film on English guitarist, composer and improviser Fred Frith.

A whirlwind of improvisation combines the images of animator Pierre Hébert with the avant-garde sound of techno whiz Bob Ostertag in this singular multimedia experience, a hybrid of live animation and performance art.

This film was made out of the capture of a live animation performance presented in Rome in January 2005 by Pierre Hébert and the musician Bob Ostertag. It is based on live action shooting done that same afternoon on the Campo dei Fiori where the philosopher Giordano Bruno was burned by the Inquisition in 1600. A commemorative statue was erected in the 19th century, that somberly dominate the market held everyday on the piazza. The film is about the resurgence of the past in this place where normal daily activities go on imperturbably. The capture of the performance was reworked, shortened and complemented with more studio performances.

Brought to life with archival footage, animation, and interviews with collaborators and friends, this sweeping documentary uncovers the impacts of Hank Wilson’s efforts in AIDS service and queer youth organizations, cultural outlets, and San Francisco politics.

Brought to life with archival footage, animation, and interviews with collaborators and friends, this sweeping documentary uncovers the impacts of Hank Wilson’s efforts in AIDS service and queer youth organizations, cultural outlets, and San Francisco politics.

A whirlwind of improvisation combines the images of animator Pierre Hébert with the avant-garde sound of techno whiz Bob Ostertag in this singular multimedia experience, a hybrid of live animation and performance art.