Myth Fest Feature: Laura Lewis-Barr
- ISM
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
By ISM
As we lead up to the Myth Fest: Art and Music, the Mythological Times prompted our presentors questions to be featured on the blog. Click here to check out our last Myth Fest post featuring Matt Maes. Today we are previewing the stop motion artist Laura Lewis-Barr If you like what you read, sign up for Myth Fest to watch a her full presentation, and all of our other presenters.
Laura Lewis-Barr was a graduate student in clinical psychology but eventually switched majors and earned her M.A in theatre. She is a published poet and award-winning dramatist, screenwriter, and stop-motion filmmaker. Laura’s art focuses on psychology, spirituality, and mythic stories that explore personal and collective transformation. She is inspired by the work of Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, Marie Louise Von Franz, and Jack Zipes. Laura’s short films are made in her basement in Chicago and can be seen at psychescinema.com.
Finding Myth
When I was in grade school (10 years old?) I discovered Edith Hamilton’s “Mythology” on a library shelf. I was mesmerized by the Greek Gods and their stories which vibrated inside of me. The stories felt strangely familiar but also shocking and strange. Years later, watching Joseph Campbell talk to Bill Moyers, I was enthralled again. Campbell’s stories opened up the world for me. They helped me see the goodness of all religious faiths, and how these heroic journeys were happening in my daily life. My favorite Campbell quote came from his discussion of the Arthur legends – each of the knights needed to find the darkest part of the forest, where there was no path, and begin there. This image of forging a new path has stayed with me and offered reassurance during my unconventional life.
Working with myths
Many years later, I read the work (every book) of Jungian Marie Louise Von Franz. I appreciated how she opened up the psychological meaning of myths and fairy tales. When I started to experiment with creating short stop motion films, I thought of the fairy tales that Von Franz had clarified for me. They were the perfect story length and my dolls were the ideal cast for these tales.
I had worked in the theatre for many decades as a playwright, director, and educator. As I began to experiment and teach myself stop motion filmmaking, I found that all of my background came together - now on a much smaller stage! (My husband built a metal stage for me in our basement). I decided to use 11-inch dolls: Barbies, GI Joes, and Ken dolls; to be my patient actors as I learned to use my new camera. I found that using the dolls created an atmosphere of play – similar to the play Jung experienced when he made sand castles on the beach. The stillness of a doll’s face was similar to the masks of Noh and Kabuki that I had studied in graduate school. The dolls suggested the energy of primordial archetypes. They were also provocative in other ways – they could trigger personal associations and easily lend themselves to cultural critique and satire.
I found that using the dolls created an atmosphere of play – similar to the play Jung experienced when he made sand castles on the beach.
Myth, Art and the Unconscious
I love all aspects of the creation of these films. First, I ponder the themes of a myth or fairy tale and wonder how these appear in my own life. Then I take these themes and the tale and work to modernize the story. Thalia, the Muse of Comedy, has been a primary influence in all my art. I try to find as much humor as I can in the story. Now more than ever, it seems like we need laughter. At the same time, I’m re-editing some of my work to challenge myself and my audience; to lean into the darker challenges in the stories. After writing the script I hand it off to the director/cinematographer (me) and to the set/costume/prop designer (also me). When I’m writing a script, I don’t concern myself with how the director/designers will achieve the fantastical story. At this point my director/designer self may feel some despair! “How will we do that?” But inevitably, after time spent in the tension of opposites, a creative solution emerges. I film the scenes, record many of the voices, and then edit the film.
Like all artists, much of my work isn’t fully conscious. It may be years before I realize a theme in my work. These themes often reflect my own psychological inner-work. I’ve also found that my films and these tales often have the exact medicine I need in my life and even (like a dream) provide concrete answers to dilemmas in my daily life.
I’ve also found that my films and these tales often have the exact medicine I need in my life and even (like a dream) provide concrete answers to dilemmas in my daily life.
To stay up to date with Laura Lewis-Barr vist her website here.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PsychesCinema/
Instagram: @psychescinema
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurallb/
The Mythological Times is dedicated to showcasing the voices of our community. The opinions expressed in each Mythological Times blog post are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the International Society of Myth.
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