Takis, an internationally-acclaimed Greek sculptor whose works were displayed in art galleries and museums worldwide, has passed away at age 93.
Born in Athens as Panayiotis Vassilakis, Takis’ artwork was widely known for its unique use of technology, motion and light.
Takis’ career began when he was in his 20s. Shortly thereafter he moved to Paris, where his career took off. He began to experiment with magnetic fields, technology, electricity and light, creating what the United Kingdom-based Tate Modern has called “some of the most innovative art of the 20th century.”
Tate Modern, one of the largest modern art museums in the world, is currently running an exhibition of Takis’ work until October.
On the outskirts of Athens in the 1980s, the late sculptor created his own foundation — the Takis Foundation, Research Center for the Art and the Sciences.
Inaugurated in 1993, the Takis Foundation contains a museum, garden as well as Takis’ studio. The foundation’s mission is to promote an appreciation of the visual arts.
Following Takis’ death, the foundation released an official announcement via Facebook.
“A true pioneer, innovator and legend. He will be forever missed. A prolific and visionary mind, whose ingenuity, passion and imagination was endless, Takis explored many artistic and scientific horizons, as well as music and theatre, and redefined the boundaries in contemporary art.”
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted his condolences to Takis’ family, describing the artist as a “worldwide Greek” as well as a “pioneer, heretical, inexhaustibly creative” who “opened new avenues in art.”
In April, the Tate Institution traveled to Athens to sit down with Takis and interview him about his more than 70-year career as an artist.
See Tate’s interview with Takis
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