Argentine kinetic art master Julio Le Parc dies at 97

Julio Le Parc, a towering figure in kinetic and optical art and one of Argentina's most internationally acclaimed artists, passed away in Paris on Saturday at the age of 97. His death followed a gradual decline in his health, confirmed by his family and official sources.

Born in Mendoza, Argentina, in 1928, Le Parc moved to France in 1958 on an artistic scholarship. He became renowned for his innovative explorations of light, color, and movement, often creating interactive works that engaged viewers directly. His international breakthrough came in 1966 when he was awarded the Grand Prize at the Venice Biennale, a prestigious honor in the art world.

Two years prior to his Venice win, Le Parc co-founded the Grupo de Investigación de Arte Visual (GRAV) with fellow artists. This collective pioneered experimental approaches to kinetic and participatory art, challenging conventional methods of art production and exhibition.

Le Parc's influence is evident in major museum collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Tate Modern in London. The Tate Modern had been preparing a major retrospective of his work, scheduled to open on June 11, which Le Parc had been eagerly anticipating.