Yaacov Agam Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Yaacov Agam
יעקב אגם
Yaacov Agam in front of a building he decorated in Tel Baruch, Tel Aviv, Israel
Born	Yaakov Gipstein (1928-05-11) May 11, 1928 (age 97) Rishon LeZion, Mandatory Palestine
Citizenship	Israeli
Education	The Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem, the Kunstgewerbe Schule
Occupation	Sculptor and experimental artist
Known for	Contributions to optical and kinetic art

The famous Fire and Water Fountain in Tel Aviv

Yaacov Agam (born May 11, 1928) is an Israeli artist. He is famous for his sculptures and experimental art. He is known for his work in optical art and kinetic art. These art forms often involve movement and change.

Early Life and Learning
Agam's Artistic Journey
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Learning

Yaacov Agam was born in Mandate Palestine. His father was a rabbi.

Agam studied art at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem. In 1949, he moved to Zürich, Switzerland. There, he learned from a teacher named Johannes Itten. He was also inspired by the artist Max Bill.

In 1951, Agam moved to Paris, France. He still lives there today.

Agam's Artistic Journey

Agam had his first art show in Paris in 1953. His art was also shown in important exhibitions in 1954 and 1955.

What is Agam's Art Like?

Agam's art is usually abstract. This means it does not show real-life objects exactly. His art often includes movement. Viewers can sometimes interact with his pieces. He also uses light and sound in his works. Many of his artworks are in public places.

Famous Artworks

Some of his most famous pieces include:

Double Metamorphosis III (1965)
Visual Music Orchestration (1989)
A large fountain in the La Défense area of Paris (1975)
The Fire and Water Fountain in Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv (1986)

Agam also created a special type of print called an "Agamograph." These prints change their image depending on how you look at them. This is done using a technique called barrier-grid animation. A huge "Complex Vision" (1969) artwork uses this method. It is 30 ft (9.1 m) square and is on a hospital building in Birmingham, Alabama.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Agam's art has been shown in many museums. He had big shows at the Musée National d'Art Moderne in Paris in 1972. Another large show was at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City in 1980. His works are also in the Museum of Modern Art.

Two documentary films have been made about Agam's art. In 1996, he received an award from UNESCO. This was for his "Agam Method" for teaching art to young children.

He also designed the trophy for the Eurovision Song Contest 1999 in Jerusalem.

Large-Scale Public Art

In 2009, Agam created a huge monument for the World Games 2009 in Taiwan. It is called Peaceful Communication with the World. It has nine tall pillars arranged in a special shape. The sides of the pillars have different patterns and colors.

One of Agam's most well-known creations is the World's Largest Menorah. It is located in New York City. This 32 ft (9.8 m) tall, gold-colored steel structure is very heavy. It is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the "world's largest Hanukkah menorah."

In 2014, Agam's artwork Faith- Visual Pray was given to Pope Francis. This piece included important symbols from both Jewish and Christian faiths.

Agam's Art Value

Agam's artworks are very valuable. They often sell for high prices. In 2009, one of his pieces sold for over $300,000. He believes his art will continue to grow in value.

Yaacov Agam Museum of Art

In 2018, the Yaacov Agam Museum of Art (YAMA) opened. It is in his hometown of Rishon LeZion, Israel. Agam said it is the only museum in the world dedicated to art that moves.