ARC OF LIGHT: A Portrait of Anna Campbell Bliss is Black Opal Productions first independent documentary film. ARC OF LIGHT tells the powerful and poignant story of an American woman artist who has devoted her life to the expression of color and light, exploring the boundaries between art and the physical world and art and the constructs of the mind, including mathematics and geometry. The film also puts her work in art-historical context and traces her Modernist influences, including the Bauhaus artists of the 1920s.
The documentary film ARC OF LIGHT: A Portrait of Anna Campbell Bliss began production in 2008, with a very specific goal and mission in mind. Art and the pursuit of creativity has always been the hallmark of a civilized society. Through profound investigation of the human spirit, and the human soul important stories continue to be told. Anna Campbell Bliss's life and work is such a story. Born in 1925 in Morristown, New Jersey Anna was one of the first women to attend the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Working for nearly 50 years in the mountains and deserts of Utah, away from the spotlight of traditional art-world centers she has created art with a dedication and single-mindedness that makes her an American original. Anna has tapped historically important movements in Modern art, architecture and design for inspiration, yet anticipated the future by incorporating computer-generated imagery into her work.
One of the most stimulating experiences for me as the director of the project has been to collaborate with so many talented and creative people. Working with Anna, her husband Robert, Judy and Stanley Hallet, and many others who were interviewed was a tremendous experience. My creative team including, Richard Walker, writer and producer, Tara Tappert, scholar and associate producer, Felicia Barlow, senior producer, Kimberly Skyrme, associate producer, Tom Fish, editor and associate producer, and so many other contributors have given their time and talent generously to bring this important historical documentary to the screen. We overcame earthquakes, hurricanes and tremendous financial challenges to finish. Our film supporters including the Utah Humanities Council, the Utah Arts Council, the Harold W. Sweatt Foundation, the SCTE Chesapeake Chapter, and many individual contributors that span the nation have contributed a a great deal to bring this project to fruition and we are deeply grateful.
Our subject, Anna Campbell Bliss believed ardently that art plays a critical role in teaching students how to appreciate mathematics through geometry and science. She was an artist, architect, and designer who devoted her life to art that explores the fascinating intersections of art, nature, science, mathematics, and technology. We have learned so much in the experience of producing this film from a research, writing, shooting, editing, composing and post-production perspective and we look most forward to the ARC OF LIGHT: A Portrait of Anna Campbell Bliss for international release.
Directed By: Cid Collins Walker
Starring: Anna Campbell Bliss
Film Festivals & Awards:
・Chesapeake Film Festival
・Environmental Film Festival
・Annapolis Film Festival
・Utopia Film Festival
・Bronze Peer Award
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