Abraham Palatnik
Brazil - 1928
A Pioneer of Kinetic Art
Born in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, in 1928, Abraham Palatnik is a pivotal figure in the development of kinetic art, as well as an accomplished painter and draughtsman. In 1932, Palatnik moved with his family to the region that is now the State of Israel, where from 1942 to 1945 he studied at the Montefiori Technical School in Tel Aviv, specializing in internal combustion engines. He broadened his art studies under the guidance of Haaron Avni and sculptor Sternshus, and studied aesthetics with Shor, attending the Tel Aviv Municipal Art Institute until 1947.
Returning to Brazil in 1948, Palatnik settled in Rio de Janeiro, where he associated with artists such as Ivan Serpa, Renina Katz, and Almir Mavignier. These connections led him to frequent the home of art critic Mário Pedrosa and to become acquainted with the work of Nise da Silveira at the Engenho de Dentro Psychiatric Hospital. Influenced by conceptual discussions with Pedrosa, Palatnik broke with traditional art conventions, exploring new relationships between form and color, and moving away from figurative techniques and brushwork.
Around 1949, Palatnik began his pioneering experiments with light and movement, resulting in the creation of the Cinechromatic Device, which was showcased at the 1st São Paulo International Biennial in 1951, receiving an honorable mention. In 1954, he joined the Grupo Frente, collaborating with notable figures such as Ivan Serpa, Ferreira Gullar, and Lygia Clark.
From 1964 onwards, Palatnik developed Kinetic Objects, an evolution of the cinechromatics, exposing the internal mechanism and eliminating light projection, with mathematical rigor being a constant in his work. Palatnik is internationally recognized as one of the pioneers of kinetic art, continuing to influence the artistic field with his innovative approach.
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Photo: http://brasileiros.com.br/2017/02/exposicao-aborda-trajetoria-de-abraham-palatnik-pioneiro-da-arte-cinetica/
