Born in 1907 in Austria-Hungary, he emerged as a pioneering filmmaker and photographer. He began his career in Europe, where he directed and collaborated on avant-garde films. Emigrating to the United States in the late 1930s, he became a key figure in American experimental cinema. Notably, he co-directed the influential short film "Meshes of the Afternoon" with Maya Deren. His work often explored themes of perception and reality, leaving a lasting impact on the film industry.