The Composer: Matthew Shipp Barb Januszkiewicz

Devoid of the hindrances of unnecessary language to distract the viewer, The Composer is an avant garde film that weaves together a musical and visual experience from a piano's perspective. Challenging the norm with non-verbal communication encourages the viewer to internalize the true meaning of the film, and to really get into the music. The experimentation in the film reflects art, culture, and politics. Artist/director Januszkiewicz explains 'I like to think Marcel Duchamp, Wassily Kandinsky, Man Ray, John Cage, and Bill Violi have all been my teacher, helping me learn to paint with film. I believe Matthew Shipp is pure genius in this project, channeling bits of Erik Satie, Charles Ives, Thelonious Monk, Frederic Chopin, and, naturally, the very best of himself.'