The Lead
Legendary Israeli kinetic artist Yaacov Agam died Sunday at the age of 98, his family announced. Agam, a pioneer of the kinetic art movement whose works are displayed in the world's most prestigious museums, was recently honored as the 2026 Israel Prize laureate for Visual Arts. He will be laid to rest on Monday in Rehovot.
A Life of Movement and Color
Yaacov Agam was born in British Mandate Palestine and began his formal artistic education at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem. He later moved to Zurich and Paris, where he became a central figure in the development of kinetic art—a style that emphasizes movement and the viewer's changing perspective. His signature works often featured geometric patterns and color-shifting panels that appeared to transform as the observer walked past them.
Iconic Public Works
Agam's influence is visible in major cities worldwide, but he is perhaps most beloved in Israel for the "Fire and Water Fountain" in Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Square. Other notable public installations include the monumental fountain in Paris’ La Défense district. His art has been featured in solo exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Guggenheim in New York, as well as the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
National Recognition
Earlier this year, the State of Israel recognized Agam’s decades of contribution to the global art world by awarding him the 2026 Israel Prize for Visual Arts. Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar paid tribute to the artist on Sunday, describing him as a groundbreaking figure who provided Israeli creation with a unique and inspiring visual language. Agam's passing marks the end of an era for Israeli modernism, leaving behind a legacy of works that challenged the static nature of traditional art.
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