Artist Agam: Master of Optical Illusions Dies at 98

Yaacov Agam, an Israeli artist celebrated for his dynamic, brightly colored geometric art, died on June 18 at his home in Rishon LeZion, Israel. He was 98 years old.

Agam, whose work delighted viewers with optical illusions and moving parts, studied art in Zurich and Paris, where he was influenced by Constructivism and associated with artists like Alexander Calder and Yves Klein. His early exhibitions in Paris in the 1950s showcased his unique approach to color and movement, anticipating the Op Art movement of the 1960s.

Beyond his optical artistry, Agam's work was infused with the mystical ideas of his father, a rabbi and kabbalist. This duality explored concepts of infinity and the changing nature of reality.

His pieces were featured in significant exhibitions, including the Museum of Modern Art's "The Responsive Eye" in 1965. Agam's monumental "Double Metamorphosis II" at MoMA exemplified his ability to create art that shifted perceptions.

Agam's art, though sometimes called kitschy by critics, was highly sought after by collectors and public institutions. Notable commissions included a large movable stainless-steel work for Lincoln Center in New York and "Salon Agam," an immersive plastic-and-aluminum environment for the Élysée Palace in France.

His legacy includes not only sculptures and paintings but also the design of fountains, stamps, furniture, and even buildings. The world's largest menorah, over 30 feet tall, designed by Agam, is displayed annually in Manhattan's Grand Army Plaza. The Yaacov Agam Museum of Art in Rishon LeZion opened in 2018.

Agam believed art should be accessible and impactful in public spaces, stating, "We need art in the public space, not in the museums and not in the collections of rich people."