Robert - Portrait of an Art - er TRAILER

Robert is a reclusive artist and long time resident of rural Upstate New York. In the early 1990's, he began constructing fantastic stone castles from native stone, in his small backyard. Robert surrounds himself with beauty and consequently his work and

Share This Project:
  • 1326565333-square_preview
  • 1326565354-square_preview
  • 1326565372-square_preview

Film

Robert - Portrait of an Art - er

"Robert, Portrait of an Art-er" is an offical selection of the 2012 Buffalo Niagara Film Festival!

"Robert, Portrait of an Art-er" is a project that I've wanted to do since meeting him in 2004. He's a unique and wonderful person, who truly lives a life of personal aesthetic beauty.

Robert, 62 years old, has made stone structures since he was a boy. His small backyard, in Franklin New York, is crammed with Castles and Keeps, but in the last several years to make his living he began constructing stone works at the homes of friends. He'll only work on a project if it interests him and if he likes the people who hire him. His masterpieces include an entire laid up stone house with framing on the inside and a roof; and a bridge with two Roman arches that leads to a stone gazebo. But, perhaps his most important works are the Cairns (towers) and pyramids that he constructs randomly in the woods, when he wants to spend a day far away from civilization.

Robert grew up in rural Upstate New York and his family was always interested in antiques. As a boy, his parents frequently took him to museums and this lead to a lifelong interest in history. He had a particular interest in the beautifully designed household goods of the 20's, 30's 40's and 50’s. He began collecting them in the 80’s and his most striking collection is 300 mixers complete with attachments and booklets from the 1930’s through 1972.

Robert likes to surround himself with beauty in his house and in his outdoor environment. He's uncompromising in his lifestyle and foregoes the usual comforts to be able to maintain his aesthetic vision.

I feel very fortunate that Robert allowed me to shoot him, his stone works and parts of his collections over the last year. He's always been an inspiration to me and I wanted to share the beauty of his life with others.

In 2011, I got a $1000 grant from the New York Council on the Arts' Decentralization Program, administered in Delaware County by The Roxbury Arts Group, which paid for a fraction of the expenses of producing this 41 minute piece. Music was contributed by talented local artists.

I would like to enter Robert into film festivals, but they are expensive. Based on the success and feedback of local screenings, I think Robert has a good chance of getting into festivals and perhaps finding some type of distribution deal.

Festivals typically cost an average of $50 to enter. I'd like to enter about 20, and have some funds left for travel to them to be present at screenings and network with possible distributors.

Right now, based on the number of hours I've put into the film, without receiving any financial compensation outside the grant, I calculate that I've invested about $15,000 of my time. Your contributions would help me to continue with the marketing of the film. I hope you'll consider a small donation.

Thanks so much for stopping by and investigating my project.

Original Music by:

Marc Black and the Lost in the Forest Orchestra

Two Dark Birds

Regards,

Jessica Vecchione