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A film by Penelope Maunsell and Kenny Dalsheimer

Bending Sticks celebrates the twenty-five year career of environmental artist Patrick Dougherty.  He has created hundreds of site-specific sculptures out of nothing more than sticks. The film follows the sculpture during a year of stick work and reveals his process and life story.

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Documentary  •  2012  •  54 minutes   •  HD  •  16×9  •  English

Bending Sticks celebrates Patrick Dougherty and his majestic art.    Dougherty has established himself as one of America’s great living sculptures and environmental artists. 

The heart of the film is the creation of five Dougherty commissions in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington, DC.  At each site viewers marvel at how Dougherty and others transform piles of sticks into beautiful, organic structures.

What folks are saying. . .

A lovely film on the whole process of an artist thinking, doing and “making his dreams”. . . all over, under and around the world!

A fascinating chronicle of the creative process behind the work of twig-snarl artist Patrick Dougherty. From conception, through construction with volunteers, and finally, publicresponse, this film captures the unique charms and universal appeal of the creations made by this arboreal poet. Bravo!

I am struck and astounded by the life described in the film Bending Sticks. The film depicts repeated forays of the peripatetic Patrick Dougherty to encounter new space, new workers, new sticks, and the resulting new art. This is a film about a truly original human being. ​