Origins & Early Life

Olafur Eliasson (Icelandic: Ólafur Elíasson; born 5 February 1967) is an Icelandic–Danish artist known for sculptured and large-scaled installation art employing elemental materials such as light, water, and air temperature to enhance the viewer's experience. In 1995, Olafur established Studio Olafur Eliasson in Berlin, a laboratory for spatial research. In 2014, Olafur and his long-time collaborator – German architect Sebastian Behmann – founded Studio Other Spaces, an office for architecture and art. Olafur represented Denmark at the 50th Venice Biennale in 2003 and later that year installed The Weather Project, which has been described as "a milestone in contemporary art", in the Turbine Hall of Tate Modern, London.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Olafur has engaged in a number of public projects, including the intervention Green river, carried out in various cities between 1998 and 2001; the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2007, London, a temporary pavilion designed with the Norwegian architect Kjetil Trædal Thorsen; and the New York City Waterfalls, commissioned by Public Art Fund in 2008. Olafur also created the Breakthrough Prize trophy. Like much of his work, the sculpture explores the common ground between art...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aleksandr Karelin — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Dominant Greco-Roman wrestler, nicknamed the "Russian Bear", celebrated for unmatched Olympic success.
• Benicio del Toro — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Esteemed Puerto Rican actor known for intense, versatile performances.
• Carson McCullers — Contemporary (Died in 1967) (1967): American novelist known for Southern Gothic explorations of isolation and outcasts.
• Banjo Paterson — Shared historical date (02-05 · Died) (1941): Iconic Australian bush poet, journalist, and author of 'Waltzing Matilda'
• Barrett Strong — Shared historical date (02-05 · Born) (1941): Pioneering Motown artist and songwriter, famed for 'Money (That's What I Want)'
• Che Guevara — Historical peer (Died in 1967) (1967): Argentine Marxist revolutionary and key figure in the Cuban Revolution.
• Clement Attlee — Historical peer (Died in 1967) (1967): Key Labour politician who served as UK Prime Minister from 1945 to 1951.
• Adolfo Pedernera — Historical peer (Died in 1995) (1995): Argentine football legend, nicknamed 'El Maestro,' pivotal in the 1940s.
• Alexander Knox — Historical peer (Died in 1995) (1995): Esteemed Canadian actor and writer, known for dramatic roles and literary contributions.
• 2014 League of Legends World Championship — Historical peer (Born in 2014) (2014): The 4th League of Legends World Championship, held in Asia in 2014.
• 1967 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1967
• February 5 (02-05) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 5