Artist and Urban Activist Bert Theis Dies at 64

Bert Theis, an artist and activist known for his urban welfare projects, passed away at age 64. His death was confirmed via social media by Turkish curator Vasif Kortun on September 16, 2016. Theis, who split his time between Berlin and Milan, focused on ecological policies, urbanization, and gentrification over two decades. He created large site-specific installations in densely populated areas, often featuring public platforms and pavilions in parks. His recent solo exhibition, Aggloville (2015), took place at Parco Arte Vivente in Turin, showcasing maquettes, projects, videos, and digital prints on canvas. Theis collaborated extensively with Isola Art Centre and founded the Office for Urban Transformation, both in Milan, leading long-term projects addressing conflicts between Isola district residents, Milan city government, and an American multinational company. His work was presented at international biennials, including the Venice Biennale in 1995, Manifesta 2, the Gwangju Biennial in 2002, Skulptur Projekte Münster in 1997, and the Taipei Biennial in 2008.