Ruth Klassen Andrews Collection
Inclusive Dates
1974 – 1987
Abstract
The Ruth Klassen Andrews Collection contains experimental films and home movies shot in Chicago in the 1970s and '80s, including Klassen Andrews' films Play and Masturector.
Collection Items
To request more information about the items in this collection, please contact the archive at
info@chicagofilmarchives.org.
Items with Viewable Media
Collection Identifier
C.2024-13
Extent of Collection
5 reels of 16mm film, 1 reel of Super-8
Language Of Materials
English
Custodial History
Donated by the filmmaker in 2024.
Related Materials
The JoAnn Elam Collection contains a print (F.2011-01-0265) and internegative (F.2011-01-0264) of Play.
Creators
Klassen Andrews, Ruth
(was created by)
Ruth Klassen moved to Chicago in 1973 at the age of 21 to become a filmmaker. She studied film at Columbia College, but was greatly influenced by Stan Brakhage’s free lectures on experimental film at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, in which he screened films by Maya Deren, Robert Frank, Marie Menken and others. Ruth began making short, experimental films. Incumbent Mama was screened in the experimental division at Cannes in 1974. Ruth left Chicago in 1975 and gave up filmmaking to pursue other art forms as Ruth Klassen Andrews.