Film Screenings / Programs / Series
EXPERIMENTAL ANIMATION
August 28 – August 30
Published in 1976, EXPERIMENTAL ANIMATION was among the first texts to trace the trajectory of the kinetic art form by directly linking the abstract work of early pioneers (e.g., Eggeling, Richter, Fischinger) to the technological breakthroughs of the 1960s and 70s (e.g., Whitney, Vanderbeek, Emshwiller). The book was a collaborative effort between Robert Russett (1935-2015), an animator and scholar, and Cecile Starr (1921-2014), a critic, teacher, and filmmaker, who combined their expertise of contemporary practices and early animation respectively to compile this definitive, yet highly accessible, volume.
Russett and Starr ingeniously mapped this history by featuring a multi-generational selection of 38 “innovative artist-filmmakers.” Each artist was highlighted in a chapter of their own with a short introduction and a collection of primary source materials including illuminating stills, interviews, and statements. All 38 artists are represented in this series alongside program titles and descriptions from the book.
This series represents a tribute to Russett and Starr, both of whom we sadly lost within the last year, as well as a celebration of their influential volume.
Special thanks to Cassie Blake, May Haduong & Mark Toscano (Academy Film Archive); Aram Boyajian; Kitty Cleary (MoMA); Kathy Elder (York University); Clint Enns; Chris Forte; Robert Haller; Mark Johnson (Harvard Film Archive); Denah Johnston & Antonella Bonfanti (Canyon Cinema); Jodie Mack; Cheryl Petrie (University of Waterloo); James Roberts (National Film Board of Canada); MM Serra & Josh Guilford (Film-Makers’ Coop); and Chelsea Spengemann (Estate of Stan Vanderbeek).
