His father, Carl, an automotive engineer who designed the Chrysler Airflow, also invented a personal 3-D camera that he used to document family vacations.
Attended Stanford University, where he switched from engineering to art, heavily influenced by the work of abstract artist Piet Mondrian. After graduating in 1949, he moved to Paris.
Returned to the U.S. in 1959 and began collaborating with Pop artists like Claes Oldenburg. Later taught film at NYC's Cooper Union for for 30 years.