Yaacov Agam was born Yaacov Gipstein on May 11, 1928 in Rishon LeZion, Israel. Best known for his contributions to optical and kinetic art, he is a an Israeli sculptor and experimental artist. He was trained at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem, before moving to Zürich and then to Paris

In 1996 Agam was awarded the Jan Amos Comenius Medal by UNESCO for the Agam Method for visual education of young children.