SLAM Cinema—Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea

Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea is a documentary film about the life and work of artist, marine, and acrobat H. C. (Cliff) Westermann. As a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, Westermann’s dramatic personal history can be traced through beguiling, surreal artworks he made to process the horrors he witnessed on the front lines. In so doing, he became an inspiration for many young artists. The film was conceived and directed by Leslie Buchbinder. It features interviews with Ed Ruscha, Frank Gehry, William T. Wiley, Billy Al Bengston, and other artists, along with Westermann’s beloved sister, Martha Westermann Renner. 86 minutes.