Syndicate of Human Image Traffickers

The Syndicate of Human Image Traffickers is an independent producer of web content aiming at exposure and examination of art, artists, movements, events, and organizations.

Our current project is a series of short (10 minute) documentary films that examine the politics and aporias of creativity. To date, we have shot interviews with Judith Malina (The Living Theater), Richard Foreman (Ontological-Hysterical Theater), Taylor Mead (Warhol superstar), Jack Terricloth (World/Inferno Friendship Society), Jo Boobs (NY School of Burlesque) and the Reverend Billy (Church of Life After Shopping). In the months to come, we will shoot interviews with: sex workers about the economy, photographer Sarah Small, the ABCNORIO collective, filmmaker Martha Colburn, and a consider the life of dreams with Marti Domination (star of Matthew Barney’s “Cremaster” cycle). Each of our films has a soundtrack. To date, Syndicate soundtracks have been commissioned to members of: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Hold Steady, The World/Inferno Friendship Society, The Mars Volta, The Buddy Hollycost, Exorcismo del Capitalismo, The Nixon-Mao Handshake. Our reel of coming contraptions (see above!) was scored by J.G. Thirlwell aka Foetus. Our work is adorned by still photography produced by erstwhile collaborators such as: Tina Zimmer, Rose Callahan, Sarah Small, Venessa Nina, Gregory Holm, and Ian Couch.

On the 2nd of November in 2009, the Syndicate began web broadcast with “The Gospel According to Reverend Billy.” You will find this film by visiting our Human Images page as well as at the website for Coilhouse magazine. Our latest release, “Jack Terricloth is Alive and Well in Gotham,” an in-depth bioptic on the World/Inferno vocalist’s Peter Pan-like life, was released on the 6th of December 2009. In mid-January of 2010, the Syndicate will commence web broadcast of “Jo Boobs Teaches YOU to Va-Va Voom,” a conversation with Jo “Boobs” Weldon, the Headmistress of the New York School of Burlesque on gender performance.