The Manhattan Book of the Dead

The Manhattan Book of the Dead runs for 105 minutes and serves as a response to the AIDS crisis that affected New York City and beyond during the late 1980s to mid-1990s. Ching Valdes-Aran utilized this film as a means to address the ongoing struggles of the time, channeling his talents into a creative outlet.

The film features a mix of musical elements, including advanced just intonation drone pieces and rhythmic structures. Notably, it incorporates unique sound production techniques, such as the use of ebows on the piano to create root/fifth drones, marking a pioneering moment in its musical composition. This work reflects the complexity of the artist's musical identity and serves as a historical artifact of its era.