Stan Bitters: Ask the Dust
Sculptor Stan Bitters, with nearly SEVEN DECADES of experience, embodies the spirit of California Modernism. More people have seen Stan's work than they have famous pieces of art, because they are on the walls of buildings, churches, banks, and schools. We pass by them everyday.
In the Spring of 2014, we were asked to produce a short biographical film on Stan Bitters by photographer and curator Renee Zellwegger that would accompany an exhibition called STAN BITTERS MODERN PRIMITIVE held at the hallmark of mid-century modern design, Heath Ceramics in San Francisco. As it turned out the exhibition was highly successful. An article in the New York Times was published naming Stan Bitters now in the "big leagues" of art. Sales of Stan's large and small pieces exceeded $700,000.
Our short film also called, "STAN BITTERS MODERN PRIMITIVE", went on to screen at Architecture and Design festivals around the world from Palm Springs to Moscow. Then for 4 consecutive months the short toured New Zealand programmed in the acclaimed Resene Architectural and Design Film Festival. It head-lined with a feature film on Frank Lloyd Wright.
A deep bond grew between us and Stan. Consequently, since 2014 we continued to film, photograph and interview Stan between our work assignments. We film his environment and his work on incoming commissions and new exhibitions. A "Work in Progress" 25 minute version of the film screened at Modernism Week in Palm Springs in 2024 to a sold out theater. A month later, in the spring of 2024, we filmed Stan and his featured sculptures at the 2024 Biennale in Venice, Italy. In the coming year we aim to wrap what will be a 1 hour feature documentary project on Stan Bitters. We welcome your support and ideas. Stan is closing in on 90 years of age. The time is now to celebrate his work.
"More people have seen Stan's work than they have famous pieces of art."
The one hour documentary film is to be the authoritative and complete chronicle on Stan Bitters, the artist, and his seven decade long career. It features a direct cinema style approach, access to Stan Bitters and his process, never before seen archival footage, interviews and slides from 1950's to present day. Distribution targets are US and Foreign television, museum event programming and Educational film distribution.
Donate via Film Independent
*Donations made through our link @ FILM INDEPENDENT are 100% tax deductible.
www.stanbittersdocumentary.com
Director Francesca Di Amico and Claudia Unger
Producers MinxFilms
Subject Stan Bitters