Inspired by his professional ancestors, those who invented the “photo-essay” , Peter presents Land of the Living in a form he calls “Photo-Mythology". This piece is seen through the lens of the Garden of Eden story in which Adam and Eve’s “fall” lands them in "the land of the living." (37 min)
The Gates by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, February 2005. Central Park, New York City's version of NATURE, was transformed by Christo's ART. Then came the falling snow, and the ART was transformed by NATURE. Music by Ricky Ian Gordon performed by John Nauman (5 min)
Overwhelmed by forces swirling beyond our control, sometimes we feel as if we’ve been swallowed by a whale. Music by Bruce Springsteen is used with permission. (6 min)
There is a space, a gap, between the MATERIAL WORLD we experience in our daily lives, and a SPIRITUAL WORLD we might access through meditation or prayer. That is the space where SCULPTURE comes fully alive. DeCordova Sculpture Park in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Music by Hale Appleman (5 min)
The lyric, "Stars they come and all you see is glory” was written by 18 year old Janis Ian, wise beyond her years. I learned how to be a photographer on the lip of her stage. There is an art to being in perfect synchronicity with shapes and the light and the rhythms of a performer's meaning and movement. When what’s in front of the lens is one with what’s in back of the lens, all the elements come together and the shutter releases itself.
In order of first appearance: Bob Dylan, Janis Ian, Marvin Gaye, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Lena Horne, Van Morrison, Julio Iglesias, Richie Havens, Elton John, Bo Diddley, Carlos Santana, Bill Graham, Rod Stewart, Miles Davis, Capt. Beef heart, Neil Young, Rufus Wainwright, Loudon Wainwright, Peter Tosh, Tanya Tucker, Roberta Flack, Dizzy Gillespie, Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, Bruce Springsteen, David Bromberg, Ashford&Simpson, Placid Domingo&Gloria Estefan, Jesse Winchester, Tom Waitts&Bette Midler, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Bette Midler, Mandy Patinkin, Stephen Sondheim, Stephan Grappelli, Richard Thompson, Mark Knopfler, Jack Bruce, Thelonious Monk, Van Morrison, Tom Waits, Randy Newman, Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Taj Mahal, Dr John, John Belushi, Joe Cocker, Madonna, Mariah Carey, George Benson, Pete Townshend, Doc Watson, Dion Warwick, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, Odetta, Bonnie Raitt, Darlene Love, Elvis Costello, Stevie Wonder, Jackson Browne, T-Bone Burnett, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Laura Nyro, Peter Allen, Ry Cooder, Jimmy Cliff, Al Jarreau, John Prine, Earth Eind and Fire, Heart, Tony Bennett, The Clash, Meatloaf, Peter Wolf, Joe Jackson, Bette Carter, Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, K.D.Laing, Paul Simon, David Bowie, Laurie Anderson, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, Janis Ian. Music written and performed by Janis Ian used with permission. Photographs by Peter Cunningham (7 min)
Orpheus was a star. He was the Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Justin Timberlake and Kanye West of Greek Mythology. He and his wife Eurydice love one another. She steps on a snake and dies. The Gods offer to bring her back to life. If only men could follow directions. Music by Wall Matthews. Writing and performance by Ara Fitzgerald. (7 min)
Bernie Glassman's favorite song was, "IT DON'T MEAN A THING IF IT AIN'T GOT THAT SWING". Bernie took up with this song at about the time he asked Wavy Gravy for a clown teacher, he was concerned that Zen students might get their butts stuck to a spiritless cushion. My thanks to Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Dr. John for making this beautiful music. It is used without permission: so this film shouldn't be publicly reposted without a password. (9 min)
A film by Denise Petrizzo. Denise visits with photographer Peter Cunningham on Grand Manan Island. (10 min)