Harry Everett Smith

Harry Everett Smith art was born of obsession.

Obsession with native art, the occult, folk-music, and slightly a distorted by new-age philosophy version of anthropology.

These obsessions calcified in a brain addled by drugs and 1950s New York bohemia and were spit out in the form of bizarre films.  I think these films, like most, work best as visual eye-candy, but they have a certain repetitive, occult energy that seems to conjure the fleeting of the spirits.

Maybe Mr. Smith wasn't so crazy, or maybe I am.

These 5 films/compilations are my particular favorites, presented with no rank or file in perceived quality.

5. Early Abstractions

Seven animated abstractions. Watch in silence for maximum soul power. 

4. Circular Tensions

An eye-melting study of geometry and motion. Brilliantly animated. One of Smith's most technically impressive films.

3. Mirror Animations

8 minutes of gorgeous red-tinted collage animation soundtracked by Thelonious Monk's Misterioso. Perfecto.

2. Heaven and Earth Magic

Smith's most popular and celebrated feature film. It has a certain rough, 19th century carny vibe, mostly due to the choice of black and white photographs.

It's recently been given new life at the Ann Arbor Film Festival, where it was scored live by experimental hip-hop producer Flying Lotus.

1. Mahagonny

At a grueling 221 minutes, Mahagonny is a triumph. Presented with a split screen, set to the entirety of the 1930s opera "Rise and Fall of of the City of Mahagonny."

Absolutely crucial, if you're somehow able to find it.