The prize committee convened, headed by Dr. Haim Perlman and with the participation of members Prof. Gilad Dubeshen and Dr. Nurit Sircus-Bank.
The prize committee noted in its reasoning that Yaacov Agam’s work resonates with a many-year contribution to Israeli and international art for seven decades. According to the committee, Agam broke the boundaries of plastic art as it was known and innovated languages of kinetic art and Op Art.
The committee further noted that the central innovative element in his work over the years is the idea of internal change, both within the artwork itself and from the viewer’s changing perspective. His works combine visual elements with musical elements in motion in space and time, reflecting a dynamic and renewing reality. His work expresses a concept that art must be mobile and changing, just as reality itself is constantly created and shaped.
The israel prize is the most important and prestigious prize awarded in the State of Israel. The prizes will be awarded on the evening of Israel’s 78th Independence Day.