Dreaming a way (of) Life

The Films of Lewis Klahr

Author: Chris Robinson Series: Focus Animation

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Summary

Description

Since his debut in the 1980s, Lewis Klahr has built a mesmerizing and influential body of work, establishing himself as one of the foremost collage animators—or, as he prefers, a “re-animator.” His films explore themes of identity (Altair), childhood (The Pharaoh’s Belt), sexuality (Pony Glass, Downs Are Feminine), memory (False Aging, Daylight Moon, Engram Sepals), Greek mythology (Lethe, Helen of T, 66), and capitalism (Circumstantial Pleasures). These philosophical explorations are often veiled behind the familiar veneer of mid-20th-century American pop culture—drawing inspiration from film noir, melodrama, crime films, popular music, and comic books.

Working with an eclectic mix of found imagery—including magazine ads, home movies, contact sheets, pornography, and comic books—along with layered soundscapes, Klahr’s characters drift through fragmented times and spaces, searching for connection and an elusive sense of self.

Despite the allure of vivid pop culture references, Klahr’s films resist easy interpretation. His elliptical, dream-like narratives challenge viewers, creating spaces where meaning remains fluid and unresolved. Yet this ambiguity is intentional—Klahr embraces the uncertainty between his work and its audience, inviting exploration over resolution.

In Dreaming a Way (of) Life: The Films of Lewis Klahr, award-winning writer Chris Robinson (The Animation Pimp, Unsung Heroes of Animation, Earmarked for Collision) offers the first full-length study of this prolific and influential collage animator. Through insightful analysis, Robinson unveils the depth and complexity of Klahr’s artistic vision, guiding readers into the magic and mystery of his cinematic universe.

Key Features:

First in-depth study of the work of American collage artist, Lewis Klahr
Mixed biography with philosophical influenced approach to the major themes of his work
Introduction of important experimental and independent animation figure that shows readers animation beyond typical industry fare.

About the Author

Chris Robinson is a Canadian writer and the Artistic Director of the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF). A leading figure in the animation world, Robinson has received several prestigious honors, including the Animafest Zagreb Award for Outstanding Contribution to Animation Studies (2020) and the Prix René Jodoin (2022) for his contributions to Canadian animation. Widely regarded as "one of the most stylistically original and provocative experts in the history of animation," Robinson’s influence extends across writing, curation, and film.

Robinson first garnered attention through his eclectic and influential magazine column, Animation Pimp, which was later adapted into a book of the same name. Beyond his contributions as a critic and historian, Robinson co-wrote the award-winning animated short Lipsett Diaries (2010), directed by Theodore Ushev. More recently, he collaborated with German artist Andreas Hykade on an illustrated novel titled My Balls Are Killing Me.