Alejandro Jodorowsky's life is a surreal, dreamlike odyssey that defies conventions of time and identity. The 96-year-old Chilean filmmaker, poet, and mystic has lived 100 lives, according to his own reckoning – each one a different embodiment of the artist he is today.
Born in Tocopilla, a small coastal town in northern Chile, Jodorowsky's childhood was marked by an insatiable curiosity and creativity. He began working behind the counter of his father's general store at just seven years old, later studying mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris. His 1967 debut feature film, Fando y Lis, sparked outrage when it premiered at the Acapulco film festival in Mexico, where a soldier allegedly threatened to kill him.
Jodorowsky has since become synonymous with countercultural excess and psychedelic exploration, directing cult classics like El Topo (1970) and The Holy Mountain (1973). His collaborations with artists like Moebius and designer Philippe Camoin have resulted in iconic works like The Incal, a sprawling space opera that influenced The Matrix and The Fifth Element.
Throughout his career, Jodorowsky has blurred the lines between actor, writer, poet, puppeteer, psychotherapist, and tarot-card reader. His artistic practice is rooted in "psychomagic," a therapeutic approach he developed, which combines elements of shamanism and Freudian theory.
In his latest project, Art Sin Fin (published by Taschen), Jodorowsky shares his life story through a two-volume monograph that doubles as an archive of counter-cultural weirdness. Alongside images and artwork curated with Donatien Grau of the Musée du Louvre, the book offers a deeply personal and unflinching look at Jodorowsky's life, from childhood to present day.
As his latest publication approaches release on February 6, Jodorowsky reflects on mortality, identity, and the search for meaning. He believes that people are "different people all the time" and that he has embodied many different versions of himself throughout his lives. With a mischievous grin, he says, "I'm ready to die and I will go with happiness, with a great orgasm."
For Jodorowsky, life is an endless adventure, a perpetual journey through the infinite present. As he approaches 97 years old, his art continues to push boundaries, challenging conventions of storytelling, creativity, and the human condition. Art Sin Fin serves as a testament to his boundless energy, unbridled imagination, and unwavering commitment to exploring the unknown.
Born in Tocopilla, a small coastal town in northern Chile, Jodorowsky's childhood was marked by an insatiable curiosity and creativity. He began working behind the counter of his father's general store at just seven years old, later studying mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris. His 1967 debut feature film, Fando y Lis, sparked outrage when it premiered at the Acapulco film festival in Mexico, where a soldier allegedly threatened to kill him.
Jodorowsky has since become synonymous with countercultural excess and psychedelic exploration, directing cult classics like El Topo (1970) and The Holy Mountain (1973). His collaborations with artists like Moebius and designer Philippe Camoin have resulted in iconic works like The Incal, a sprawling space opera that influenced The Matrix and The Fifth Element.
Throughout his career, Jodorowsky has blurred the lines between actor, writer, poet, puppeteer, psychotherapist, and tarot-card reader. His artistic practice is rooted in "psychomagic," a therapeutic approach he developed, which combines elements of shamanism and Freudian theory.
In his latest project, Art Sin Fin (published by Taschen), Jodorowsky shares his life story through a two-volume monograph that doubles as an archive of counter-cultural weirdness. Alongside images and artwork curated with Donatien Grau of the Musée du Louvre, the book offers a deeply personal and unflinching look at Jodorowsky's life, from childhood to present day.
As his latest publication approaches release on February 6, Jodorowsky reflects on mortality, identity, and the search for meaning. He believes that people are "different people all the time" and that he has embodied many different versions of himself throughout his lives. With a mischievous grin, he says, "I'm ready to die and I will go with happiness, with a great orgasm."
For Jodorowsky, life is an endless adventure, a perpetual journey through the infinite present. As he approaches 97 years old, his art continues to push boundaries, challenging conventions of storytelling, creativity, and the human condition. Art Sin Fin serves as a testament to his boundless energy, unbridled imagination, and unwavering commitment to exploring the unknown.
he's been doing this psychomagic thing for decades and it's soooo cool how he blurs the lines between art & therapy & spirituality... like who else can say they've had 100 lives 
i mean, the man is like a cult leader or something but in a good way? 
his latest project art sin fin sounds like the ultimate treasure trove of weirdness and i need it in my life ASAP 
can't wait to dive into his story & see what other mind-blowing creations he's got up his sleeve... 97 & still going strong is just insane 
And I love how he sees people as different versions of themselves all the time - it's like, isn't that just the most beautiful thing?! 
Art Sin Fin sounds like an incredible journey through his life and art... I need to get my hands on this ASAP! 
It's like he's saying, life is one big dream, and we should just roll with it 
. And that attitude towards mortality? Gives me hope for the rest of us 
. At 97, he's still got more to share and create – talk about inspiring! 
. The dude has had 100 lives or something?! It's wild how he can just switch between being a filmmaker, poet, mystic, and tarot-card reader like that...I mean, I'm still trying to figure out what my major is in uni, let alone living multiple lives 
. But what I love about him is that his art isn't afraid to get weird and push boundaries – it's like he's always saying "screw the rules" 
his art is so unique and thought-provoking, it's like he's tapping into something deeper 
. His life story is like something out of a dream, all these different lives and personas he's embodied over the years... it's wild to think about how much creativity and energy that takes 
. And can we talk about his work for a second? The guy has directed some iconic cult classics like El Topo and The Holy Mountain 
. I love how he blurs the lines between actor, writer, poet... basically, he does it all 
. It's no wonder he's inspired so many artists, from Moebius to The Matrix team 
.
and then not quite pulling it off.
i mean, who wouldn't want to combine shamanism and Freudian theory in their art? that's like the ultimate form of creative expression for me. and the fact that he's been publishing this stuff for decades is just mind-blowing 
i'm so down to dive into Art Sin Fin and see what more of this surreal world has to offer 
.
.
.
. We're living in his world now, whether we know it or not 
. Wake up, sheeple!
. and his psychomagic thing sounds so interesting, like a mix of shamanism and freudian theory, that's deep 
. he's definitely not your average filmmaker, more like a mystic artist 
. His life story is insane - he's been this many people at once (according to him, lol) and I'm not even kidding, the man has had an infinite number of identities 
.
. The Matrix and The Fifth Element were definitely some of the most iconic films of my childhood... who knows what he'll come up with next? Maybe something even more surreal 
sounds like some wild stuff but also kinda cool? his art is literally the most eclectic i love how he's been an actor, writer, poet, puppeteer... the list goes on! 
.
It's like he's saying, "Hey world, watch me defy time and identity!" 
And his collab with Donatien Grau from the Musée du Louvre is straight fire 