Ray Rice films, bulk 1964-1983

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Summary

Creators:
Rice, Ray, 1916-2001
Abstract:
This collection consists of short animated films created and produced by Ray Rice.
Extent:
1 Linear Feet 1 box
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Ray Rice films. MS 180. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of 36 short animated films created and produced by Ray Rice. Titles and descriptions are original to the artist.

Biographical / historical:

Born April 24, 1916 in Elkhart, Indiana. Studied at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, Art Students League of New York, Claremont Graduate School, New School for Social Research.

Ray Rice spent over fifty years on the modern American art scene as painter, mosaicist and animator of experimental films. Rice moved early from Chicago to New York during the WPA period and then to California. In 1961 he helped found the Art Center in Mendocino.

Between 1965 and 1983, Ray Rice explored the projection of painting and drawing with sound and poetry in film. working as an individual, he produced over thirty animated films from three to twenty minutes in length. His films first emerged into the underground scene of the 1960s and have since been shown at universities, major art institutions, theaters and on television throughout the country.

"I have been a working artist all of my adult life, interrupted only by service as an officer of black troops during World War II. After the war I worked with architects on a large scale making mosaic murals and sculpture. During the 1960's my attention shifted to working independently and on a small scale making pictures that move. My records show approximately 45 16mm films with optical sound, usually in color and using acetate ink on acetate. The films range in length from 2-14 minutes. There was a continuous market for my experimental films on a national circuit of after-hours venues, and I lectured and showed in the United States and Canada through the 1970s. Even though there were still commercial opportunities, I decided not to go that way when the market change affected outlets and my equipment needed refurbishing. My work has now gone to pen and ink drawings and painting, for some reason, on hanging wood strips. Over the years I have also written articles, published poetry under several names, and illustrated a number of fine press books. I am no longer doing film, but there are good pictures there. In 1996 the town of Mendocino kindly celebrated my 80th birthday with a birthday party, one-man show for six weeks and two film showings. These activities ignited interest among young adults in these experimental art films from the sixties and seventies."

"Some of these little films may be likened to an extension of visual free association; others have had some sort of concept laid out in advance. Both depend greatly on the element of spontaneity and all steps in the making are left open for improvisation." - Ray Rice

Acquisition information:
Gift of the Rice Family.
Processing information:

Processed by: Special Collections and Archives staff. Processing completed: Winter 2006. EAD encoded finding aid by: UCSC OAC Unit.

Arrangement:

The films are arranged alphabetically by title.

Physical location:
Collection stored off-site at NRLF: Advance notice is required for access.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Access to the archival DVDs stored at NRLF is RESTRICTED. Public copies have been cataloged separately and are available at the UCSC University Library Digital Scholarship Commons. Please see the Library's online catalog for call numbers.

Terms of access:

Property rights for this collection reside with the University of California. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. The publication or use of any work protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use for research or educational purposes requires written permission from the copyright owner. Responsibility for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred citation:

Ray Rice films. MS 180. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.

Location of this collection:
Special Collections and Archives, University Library
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064, US
Contact:
(831) 459-2547
speccoll@library.ucsc.edu
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