Mary Bauermeister (1934–2023) was a pioneering German artist known for her role in the Fluxus movement and her innovative, interdisciplinary works. Born in Frankfurt and raised in Cologne, she gained international recognition in the 1960s for her signature “lens boxes” and optical sculptures, which used glass, lenses, and mirrors to create layered, three-dimensional compositions that played with perception and reality.
Bauermeister’s studio in Cologne became a creative hub for avant-garde artists, musicians, and thinkers, including figures like John Cage and Nam June Paik. Her work was heavily influenced by her interest in science, language, and nature, often exploring the intersection between art and the natural world.
Throughout her career, Bauermeister exhibited widely across Europe and the U.S., contributing to movements that questioned the boundaries of traditional art forms. She was celebrated for her ability to blend art with music, philosophy, and science, creating thought-provoking works that continue to inspire today.

Mary Bauermeister in N.Y.