Born Panagiotis Vassilakis in Athens, Takis (1925–2019) was a Greek artist renowned for his groundbreaking exploration of magnetism, energy, and invisible forces as sculptural material. Active in Paris, London, and Athens, he developed a distinctive body of work that merged art, science, and technology, creating sculptures that move, vibrate, or emit sound in response to magnetic fields. From his Télésculptures and Signal series to his iconic Musical Sculptures, Takis revealed the poetry within physics and transformed the viewer’s encounter with space. His experimental spirit and visionary approach positioned him as one of the most original figures of post-war European art.
Major solo exhibitions include Tate Modern, London, UK; Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, France; Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume, Paris, France; Menil Collection, Houston, USA; ICA, London, UK; Fondazione Prada, Milan, Italy; MACBA, Barcelona, Spain; Centre Pompidou, Paris, France.
His work is included in major collections such as Tate, London, UK; Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, USA; Centre Pompidou, Paris, France; Menil Collection, Houston, USA; Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., USA; Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), Spain; Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, France.