Guide to the Ray Rice films MS.180
Special Collections and Archives
University of California, Santa Cruz
2007
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz 95064
speccoll@library.ucsc.edu
Contributing Institution:
University of California, Santa Cruz
Title: Ray Rice films
Creator:
Rice, Ray, 1916-2001
Identifier/Call Number: MS.180
Physical Description:
1 Linear Feet
1 box
Date (bulk): 1964-1983
Abstract: This collection consists of short animated films created and produced by Ray Rice.
Physical Location: Collection stored off-site at NRLF: Advance notice is required for access.
Language of Material:
English
.
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.
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.
Ray Rice films. MS 180. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.
Gift of the Rice Family.
Existence and Location of Copies
The films listed are available to the public through the Digital Scholarship Commons. Please consult the online catalog for
call numbers.
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
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection consists of 36 short animated films created and produced by Ray Rice. Titles and descriptions are original
to the artist.
The films are arranged alphabetically by title.
Processed by: Special Collections and Archives staff. Processing completed: Winter 2006. EAD encoded finding aid by: UCSC
OAC Unit.
MS277 Miriam C. and Raymond Rice Papers. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of California, Santa
Cruz.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Cinematography, Abstract
Experimental films
Animated films
Short films
Box 1:2
Box 1:3
Box 1:4
Box 1:7
Box 1:8
Box 1:9
Box 1:10
Box 1:11
Box 1:12
Box 1:13
Box 1:14
Box 1:15
Box 1:17
Box 1:19
Box 1:21
Box 1:22
Box 1:23
Box 1:24-25
Box 1:26
Box 1:28
Box 1:29
Box 1:30
Box 1:34
Box 1:35