Pioneering Experimental Filmmaker Ken Jacobs Dies at 92

Ken Jacobs, a pioneering figure in the world of experimental filmmaking, passed away last Sunday in Manhattan at the age of 92. Jacobs, who was known for his innovative use of manipulated found footage in his films, had a remarkable career that spanned over seven decades.

Born in Brooklyn, Jacobs got his start in the downtown art scene of New York during the 1960s, collaborating with his friend Jack Smith on notable underground films like "Blonde Cobra" and "Little Stabs at Happiness." In 1966, Jacobs and his late wife Flo founded the Millennium Film Workshop, which became a hub for experimental filmmakers.

Jacobs' films, videos, and performances were widely acclaimed and exhibited at prestigious venues such as the Berlin Film Festival, the London Film Festival, the New York Film Festival, and the Museum of Modern Art. His work was recognized with numerous honors, including the AFI's Maya Deren Award, a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the New York State Council on the Arts.

Jacobs' passing comes just a few months after the death of his wife Flo, with whom he had collaborated since 1960. His son, filmmaker Azazel Jacobs, noted that the loss of his partner was "unimaginable" for Ken, who continued to work on his art until the very end.