Rudi Stern
| Rudi Stern | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Rudolph George Stern 30 November 1936 New Haven Connecticut[1] |
| Died |
15 August 2006 (aged 69) Cadiz, Spain[1] |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Multimedia artist |
| Spouse(s) |
Moira North (1980-1988)[2] Raffaella Trivi (2004-2006)[2] |
Rudolph George Stern (1936-2006) was an American multimedia artist most widely known for his work in neon. In his later years he concentrated on making documentary films.[1]
Biography
Stern was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He graduated from Bard College in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in studio arts and from University of Iowa in 1960 with a master's degree.[1][2] He also studied painting with Oskar Kokoschka and Hans Hofmann.[1][3]
He moved to New York City in the mid-1960s where he met the poet and artist Jackie Cassen. They collaborated on multimedia installations of kinetic art, including the "Psychedelic Celebration Number One" for LSD advocate Timothy Leary,[3] and installations at the Electric Circus nightclub.[1]
In 1972 he founded "Let There Be Neon",[2] a studio and gallery in New York.[1] He designed and produced neon pieces for the Broadway show, Kiss of the Spider Woman,[4] and other art and music performances, as well as commercial signs.[1]
Together with Katharine Kean, he directed the 1992 documentary, Haití: Killing the Dream, starring Jean-Bertrand Aristide.[5]
Between 1999 and 2001, his multimedia installation, "Theater of Light", was shown at multiple locations in New York and New Jersey. The installation involved several screens, over 30 projectors and "surrounded audience members with densely layered, constantly changing images, intricately choreographed to music."[1]
Stern died in 2006 at his home in Cadiz, Spain from complications of lung cancer.[1] He was married twice, to Moira North and then to Raffaella Trivi, and he and Rafaella had a daughter, Stella. He also had a daughter, Lumiere, by an early relationship.[1]
Publications
- Stern, Rudi (1979). Let There Be Neon. Harry N Abrams. ISBN 9780810912557.
- Stern, Rudi (1990). Contemporary Neon. Visual Reference Publications Inc. ISBN 9780934590372.
- di Lemme, Philip (1984). American Streamline: Handbook of Neon Advertising Design. Introduction by Rudi Stern. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. ISBN 9780442281045.
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Fox, Margalit (18 August 2006). "Rudi Stern, Artist Whose Medium Was Light, Dies at 69". New York Times. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 "Rudi Stern Memorial Page". Let There Be Neon. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- 1 2 Gigliotti, Davidson (December 1999). "The Early Video Project: Interview with Rudi Stern, Parts One and Two". davidsonfiles.org. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- ↑ "Rudi Stern, 69; Artist Was Known for His Work With Neon". Los Angeles Times. 21 August 2006. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- ↑ "Haití: Killing the Dream". IMDb. Retrieved 12 November 2016.