PW_ArtistBio_AGAM.PDF

YAACOV AGAM 1928– Above: Detail of “Rapport” by Yaacov Agam (2005). 12” x 12”. Agamograph; lithographic image viewed through a linticular lens. ART FOR EVERYONE “Tango” by Yaacov Agam (2005). 12" x 12". Agamograph; lithographic image viewed...

YAACOV AGAM 1928– Above: Detail of “Rapport” by Yaacov Agam (2005). 12” x 12”. Agamograph; lithographic image viewed through a linticular lens. ART FOR EVERYONE “Tango” by Yaacov Agam (2005). 12" x 12". Agamograph; lithographic image viewed through a linticular lens. “Blanc Tango” by Yaacov Agam (2005). 12" x 12". Agamograph; lithographic image viewed through a linticular lens. A world-renowned kinetic artist, Yaacov Agam pioneered a In 1951, Agam moved to Paris. He held his first solo new form of art that contemplates progress, time, and the exhibition two years later at the Galerie Craven in Paris. role of the viewer. He quickly grew in fame for his innovative approach, encouraging spectators to participate in art during a time Agam has become one of the most influential modern artists when this was rarely expected. A year later he exhibited three since his first solo exhibition in 1953. He encourages viewers large mobile paintings at the Salon des Realities Nouvelles. to reflect on artistic creation and the spiritual values of This was followed by an exhibition at the Galerie Denise society through transformative art. Rene in 1955 titled “Le Mouvement.” His works are collected worldwide and he has participated in Following these exhibitions, Agam established himself as a major museum exhibitions all over the world. pioneer of the kinetic art movement. Since the 1950s, Agam has experimented with new and diverse media, incorporating Personal History practices such as painting, sculpture, spatial installation, Agam was born in 1928 in Rishon LeZion, Israel, to an theater, architecture, writing, digital technology, and Orthodox family. Agam attended art school at the Bezalel education. Regardless of the medium, Agam has remained Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem. He later moved to loyal to the principles and spirit of his early works. Zurich, Switzerland in 1949. In 1950, he studied color theory under the mentorship of artists Johannes Itten and Max Bill. Agam has achieved international acclaim, receiving multiple commissions and honors and creating public art installations Renowned architecture critic and historian Sigfried Giedion throughout New York, Chicago, and Paris. He even developed helped shape Agam’s artistic path while the artist took a visual learning method for early education curricula that courses at the ETH Zurich University, inspiring Agam to was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific transform the concept of static paintings. and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). “In life you look at art and it doesn’t change, but everything His artwork can be found in permanent museum collections changes, but you don’t know how it will change, so you have all over the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in to go beyond the visible,” Agam once said. “You have to get New York and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden the notion that what you see can at any moment disappear in Washington, D.C. to be replaced with something else.” “AT” by Yaacov Agam (2005). 12" x 12". Agamograph; lithographic image viewed through a linticular lens. “Four Seasons A/B/D” by Yaacov Agam (2005). 12" x 12". Agamograph; lithographic image viewed through a linticular lens. In 2010, Agam became the highest-selling living Israeli artist Agam is the innovator of the “Agamograph,” which uses a when his artwork, “Growth,” sold for $698,000 at auction. As lenticular lens to cause his imagery to change when viewed further testament to his creativity and success, the Yaacov from different angles. He created this groundbreaking medium Agam Museum of Art opened in 2017 in Rishon LeZion, Israel. in 1971. Style and Influences Accomplishments Agam’s upbringing played a major role in shaping Agam’s 1967 – Documentary: “Possibilities of Agam.” artistic style, such as following the religious commandment of not making graven images. Agam’s nonrepresentational style 1968 – Guest lecturer at Harvard University. is an integration of formalist art with that of the Kabbalah (the 1980 – Featured in the French television documentary study of Hebrew mysticism). As such, Agam’s artistic aesthetic “L’aventure de l’art moderne.” is non-figurative, relying instead on geometric shapes, sculpted lines, and bright colors. 2014 – Agam’s “Faith-Visual Pray” was presented to Pope Francis. The artist incorporates the element of movement and time into his art, inviting viewers to participate with his artwork. Agam writes extensively about his work and has had When physically passing by an Agam work, the image several books published on his imagery, concepts, and dynamically changes at various angles. By relying on viewer exhibitions. These books include “Agam” (1980), “Agam: perception to complete the composition, each work is never Beyond the Visible” (1997) and “Agam: The Elysee Salon” truly complete or wholly visible. In this way, Agam transcends (2007). representation by denying it. Agam suggests that his artwork be viewed as intimate visual prayers. He intends for each work to be a journey for the viewer to enjoy and participate in his prayers of hope and peace. “If you know there is more than what you see, you see the world differently,” Agam says. “You see it as an unexpected, continuous event.” Awards Commissions 1963 – “Artistic Research” prize from the Sao Paulo 1969 – Created “Complex Vision” for the Callahan Eye Biennale, Brazil. Foundation Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. 1974 – Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres. Given by 1972 – Georges Pompidou, president of the French the French government to individuals to recognize them Republic, commissioned Agam to create an entire room for for their significant contributions to the arts, literature, or the Pompidou Museum known as the Elysee Salon. furthering these fields. 1979 – “Reflection and Depth” for the Port Authority of 1975 – Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from the Tel New York. Aviv University. 1979 – “Star of Peace” commemorates peacemaking 1977 – Medal of the Council of Europe. efforts between Anwar el-Sādāt and Prime Minister 1985 – Sandberg Prize from the Israel Museum, Menachem. Jerusalem. 1979 – Stained glass windows for the Synagogue Design 1985 – “Homage a Mondrian” for Le Mondrian Hotel in and Civic Center at Ben-Gurion University. Los Angeles. 1986 – The “Fire and Water Fountain,” located in the 1985 – Appointed Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et center of the Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv. Lettres by Jack Lang, France’s Minister of Culture. 1987 – Memorial at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem to 1985 – Palette d’Or at the International Festival at memorialize victims of the Holocaust. Cagnes-sur-Mer. 1999 – Winner’s trophy for the Eurovision Song Contest 1989 – Grand Prize at the First International Biennale in in Jerusalem. Nagoya, Japan, ARTECH ‘89. 2009 – A monumental sculpture for the World Games in 1996 – The Jan Amos Comenius Medal by UNESCO for Kaohsiung, Taiwan, called “Peaceful Communication with his “Agam Method” visual education program. the World.” 2017 – “Warrior for Truth” award from the Algemeiner. Creator of the world’s largest menorah, “Hanukkah Menorah,” sponsored by the Lubavitch Youth Organization. Museum Retrospectives The menorah is 32 feet high and more than 4,000 pounds, and recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. It 1972 – The Musée National d’Art Moderne, Paris. is located in New York City. I980 – “Beyond the Visible,” the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York. 1989 – Isetan Museum in Tokyo, Daimaru Museum in Osaka and Kawasaki, City Museum, Japan 1996 – Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 2013 – Group exhibition “Dynamo - a century of light and movement in art” Galeries National du Grand Palais, Paris, France. 2013 – “Beyond the Invisible,” the National Taiwan Museum of Fine arts, Taipei, Taiwan 2016 – “The Magic of Yaacov Agam,” Museum of Geometric and MADI Art, Dallas. 2017 – Opening of the Agam Museum of Art in Rishon LeZion, Israel.