Notes

One of Agam's most distinctive artistic innovations is the agamograph, a type of lenticular printing that produces shifting images based on the viewer's perspective. As viewers move, they encounter different facets of the same image, creating a continually evolving experience of the artwork.¹

The present lot is an intricate piece likely inspired by the music of composer Johann Sebastian Bach. This artwork captures the complex, layered essence of Bach’s compositions, translating musical structure into visual form. As viewers move, the piece transforms, reflecting how each listener experiences Bach's music. Homage to Bach pays tribute to the rhythmic and mathematical precision of his work, showcasing Agam's mastery in blending art and science.

Agam’s exploration of movement, time, and space through his agamographs and Kinetic art continues to inspire modern artists, firmly establishing him as a key figure in contemporary art.

^1. Artsy (no date) Agamograph, online, https://www.artsy.net/artist-series/yaacov-agam-agamographs, accessed 26 September 2024.

Yaacov Agam is a world renowned Kinetic artist that delves into themes of progress, time, and viewer engagement. His work marks a significant departure from traditional painting and sculpture, embracing Kinetic and Op art techniques. These works often shift and transform through manual manipulation or as viewers move around them.

Agam studied in Jerusalem, Zürich, and Paris. In Zürich he studied under the colour theorist Johannes Itten before moving to Paris in 1951, where he currently resides. His creative pursuits extend beyond the visual arts to include theater, architecture, filmmaking, writing, and typography, all intertwined with concepts of time, change, and movement. His work has been featured in numerous global exhibitions and installations including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, as well as in St. Louis, Paris, Düsseldorf. Retrospectives include at the Musée National d’Art Moderne in Paris (1972) and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York (1980). His work is represented in major collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, DC, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

Provenance

Acquired from the artist by the current owner, 2014.