Jay Sims, born in Arkansas, is a video artist and experimental filmmaker whose fascination with the moving image began in his youth. Drawn to Science Fiction and movies with an otherworldly feel, he would mentally storyboard scenes in the locations surrounding his childhood home, even without a camera to capture them.
As a teenager, Jay relocated to Dallas, Texas, where his artistic journey truly began. Acquiring a video camera, he delved into making experimental films within the familiar surroundings of his home. Over time, this solitary pursuit evolved into collaborative work with fellow filmmakers.
To further refine his skills, Jay attended numerous filmmaking workshops in Dallas. He then continued his education at the New York Film Academy, where he gained invaluable experience working with celluloid film.
Despite this grounding in traditional filmmaking, Jay’s primary interest lies in the world of video art. His artistic sensibilities are deeply inspired by the pioneering works of early 20th-century avant-garde filmmakers and photographers, shaping his unique approach to video art.
Initially, Jay’s creative output unfolded under the umbrella of two pseudo-art collectives: Dept-of-Films (2000–2007) and Lumina Obscura (2007–2010). Since 2010, Lumina Obscura has served as both the title of his website and an ad hoc production company.
Today, Jay remains a dedicated explorer of this medium through a dual lens: as a collector of established video art and as a creator of his own innovative works.
[monograph]
Ilex White
Video Experiment 2 (lost)
X-Rae in Pink
The Student
Roma Endless
Mask of Tyranny (video lost, audio extant)
Untitled Series #2
CONCENTRATIONS 2: DOPP[L(E)R](L)REFLE[X(CT)ION]
Le vent en bleu.
The Distance Between Here and There
CONCENTRATIONS PROLOGUE
CONCENTRATIONS: INTERLUDE 2
CONCENTRATIONS 4: DE[(TR)A(IL)]TH CA[ER(KENNT]IMO[NI]A(S
Every Minute of the Future is a Memory of the Past
abt. 1991, photo series, 35mm, b/w
Video Experiment 2 (lost)
abt 1992, SD analog video, color, silent, ~3 min.
X-Rae in Pink
abt. 1995, photo series, 35mm, color
The Student
1998,16mm film, b/w, silent, ~4 min.
Roma Endless
abt. 1999, photo series, 35mm, b/w
Mask of Tyranny (video lost, audio extant)
abt 2000, SD digital video file, color, sound, 3 min. 12 sec.
Untitled Series #2
abt. 2003, photo series, 120mm & 35mm, b/w & color
CONCENTRATIONS 2: DOPP[L(E)R](L)REFLE[X(CT)ION]
2009, UHD digital video file, color, sound, 2 min. 11 sec.
Le vent en bleu.
2009, HD digital video file, color, sound, 58 sec.
The Distance Between Here and There
2011, UHD digital video file, color, sound, 56 sec.
CONCENTRATIONS PROLOGUE
2012, UHD digital video file, color, sound, 7 min. 46 sec.
CONCENTRATIONS: INTERLUDE 2
2012, UHD digital video file, color, sound, 1 min. 14 sec.
CONCENTRATIONS 4: DE[(TR)A(IL)]TH CA[ER(KENNT]IMO[NI]A(S
2013, UHD digital video file, color, sound, 6 min. 00 sec.
Every Minute of the Future is a Memory of the Past
2016, digital photo, color
Video Experiment 1 (lost)
Ilex Black
Untilted Series #1
Waiting
Stone & Form 1
Stone & Form 2
A House Falls (Documentary)
Recall Circuit: I Sat and Thought of You
Concentrations 3: CENTRIF[I(U)G(U)AL]EREFLE[X(CT)ION]
A Series of Small Victories (Documentary)
CONCENTRATIONS 1: SOL(A)](NT)[RI]UM(BRA)REFLE[X(CT)ION]
CONCENTRATIONS: INTERLUDE 1
CONCENTRATIONS at CWFA (Documentary)
All Those Moments Lost
abt 1992, SD analog video, color, silent, ~1 min.
Ilex Black
abt. 1994, photo series, 35mm, color
Untilted Series #1
abt. 1996, photo series, 35mm, b/w
Waiting
1998, UHD digital video file, b/w, sound, 2 min. 21 sec.
Stone & Form 1
abt. 1999, photo series, 35mm, b/w
Stone & Form 2
abt. 2002, photo series, 35mm, b/w
A House Falls (Documentary)
abt 2008, SD digital video file, color, sound, ~3 min..
Recall Circuit: I Sat and Thought of You
2009, HD digital video file, color, sound, 4 min. 17 sec.
Concentrations 3: CENTRIF[I(U)G(U)AL]EREFLE[X(CT)ION]
2011, UHD digital video file, color, sound, 5 min. 04 sec.
A Series of Small Victories (Documentary)
2011, HD digital video file, color, sound, 16 min. 58 sec.
CONCENTRATIONS 1: SOL(A)](NT)[RI]UM(BRA)REFLE[X(CT)ION]
2012, UHD digital video file, color, sound, 3 min. 37 sec.
CONCENTRATIONS: INTERLUDE 1
2013, UHD digital video file, color, sound, 1 min. 03 sec.
CONCENTRATIONS at CWFA (Documentary)
2014 UHD digital video file, color, sound, ~2 min. 30sec.
All Those Moments Lost
2018, digital photo, color
[contact]
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