# Tal Avitzur

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{{Short description|Found object sculptor}}
{{Infobox artist
| name             = Tal Avitzur
| image            = File:Tal Avitzur.jpg
| birth_date       = 1962
| website          = https://talbotics.com/
| known_for        = Sculpture
| education        = Lehigh University, UC Santa Barbara
}}

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'''Tal Avitzur''' is a found-object sculptor known for creating [assemblage](/source/Assemblage_(art)) robots, creatures, spaceships and other fantasy-themed [sculpture](/source/sculpture)s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayden |first=Tyler |date=2011-12-08 |title=Santa Barbotics |url=https://www.independent.com/2011/12/08/santa-barbotics/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=The Santa Barbara Independent |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Scrap metal gets new life as robot night lights |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/scrap-metal-gets-new-life-as-robot-night-lights/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Avitzur |first=Tal |date=2017-11-23 |title=tal avitzur uses up-cycled parts to create fantasy-like creatures |url=https://www.designboom.com/art/upcycled-fantasy-creature-sculptures-12-23-2017/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=designboom {{!}} architecture & design magazine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=805 Living |url=https://online.publicationprinters.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=6c465a5c-0fcd-412e-97b4-ff29405f4a8c&pnum=66 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=online.publicationprinters.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Avitzur was born in 1962 in [Haifa, Israel](/source/Haifa).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Talbotics |title=Talbotics |url=https://talbotics.com/news-press |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=Talbotics |language=en-US}}</ref> He was raised in [Allentown, PA](/source/Allentown%2C_Pennsylvania). His father was a professor of [metallurgy](/source/metallurgy) at [Lehigh University](/source/Lehigh_University).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-27 |title=In Memoriam: Betzalel Avitzur, MSE Professor Emeritus and Metal-Forming Pioneer |url=https://news.lehigh.edu/in-memoriam-betzalel-avitzur-mse-professor-emeritus-and-metal-forming-pioneer |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Lehigh University News |language=en}}</ref> Avitzur received his [B.A.](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) in mathematics from Lehigh University in 1983<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/epitomeyearb107lehi/page/288/mode/2up |title=Epitome: Yearbook 1983 |date=1983 |publisher=Lehigh University |others=Lehigh University Libraries}}</ref> and his [M.A.](/source/Master_of_Arts) in mathematics from [University of California, Santa Barbara](/source/University_of_California%2C_Santa_Barbara) in 1985.<ref>{{Cite web |last=365Artists/365Days |date=2014-12-31 |title=Tal Avitzur – Santa Barbara, California |url=https://365artists365days.com/2014/12/31/tal-avitzur-santa-barbara-california/ |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=365 Artists {{!}} 365 Days |language=en}}</ref>

==Career==
While studying for his master's degree Avitzur lived in the [Santa Barbara](/source/Santa_Barbara%2C_California) home of painter [Irma Cavat](/source/Irma_Cavat)<ref>{{Cite web |last=RecycleNation |date=2012-10-30 |title=Art Speak: Irma Cavat Talks Recycled Robots with Tal Avitzur |url=https://recyclenation.com/2012/10/art-speak-irma-cavat-recycled-robots-tal-avitzur/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=RecycleNation |language=en-US}}</ref> and was her studio assistant. Cavat's home was also the winter studio for sculptor [George Rickey](/source/George_Rickey). Avitzur worked for Rickey as well, both in Santa Barbara and [East Chatham, NY](/source/East_Chatham%2C_New_York). Avitzur also worked for ceramacist [Beatrice Wood](/source/Beatrice_Wood) in [Ojai, CA](/source/Ojai%2C_California) until her death in 1998. Avitzur credits his father's research with metals and his employment with various artists for his decision to become an artist. Avitzur's sculpture teacher was kinetic sculptor [Ken Bortolazzo](/source/Ken_Bortolazzo).<ref>{{Cite news |title=Daily Inspiration: Meet Tal Avitzur - Voyage LA Magazine {{!}} LA City Guide |url=https://voyagela.com/interview/daily-inspiration-meet-tal-avitzur/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240622134607/https://voyagela.com/interview/daily-inspiration-meet-tal-avitzur/ |archive-date=2024-06-22 |access-date=2026-02-02 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Avitzur gathers materials for his sculptures from auto and marine salvage yards, scrap metal yards, garage and estate sales and flea markets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Affair |first=Glamour |date=2018-11-13 |title=TAL AVITZUR |url=https://www.glamouraffair.com/tal-avitzur/ |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=GlamourAffair |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-02-06 |title=Retro Robots |url=https://www.modernmetals.com/11241-retro-robots.html |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=www.modernmetals.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> He disassembles, cleans, polishes and sorts the parts.

Avitzur's sculptures have been displayed at the [Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History](/source/Santa_Barbara_Museum_of_Natural_History),<ref>{{Citation |last=Avitzur |first=Tal |title=Weekend Outing |date=2011-09-26 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/talbotics/6187182255/ |access-date=2025-06-05}}</ref> [Westmont College](/source/Westmont_College),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Craig |first=Scott |date=May 19, 2026 |title=Local Artists Featured in ‘Altered Realities’ |url=https://www.westmont.edu/westmont-news/local-artists-featured-altered-realities}}</ref> Sullivan Goss Gallery,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tal Avitzur {{!}} Artist Overview {{!}} MutualArt |url=https://www.mutualart.com/Artist/Tal-Avitzur-/9EE01A846FAFF329 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=www.mutualart.com |language=en}}</ref> Santa Barbara Community Arts Workshop,<ref>https://www.sbcaw.org/</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-15 |title=Santa Barbara Assemblage Artists Group Show |url=https://mail.artweek.com/events/united-states/art-opening/santa-barbara/santa-barbara-assemblage-artists-group-show |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Art Week |language=en}}</ref> [La Luz de Jesus Gallery](/source/La_Luz_de_Jesus),<ref>{{Cite web |last=BraddeCaussin |title=La Luz de Jesus Presents Laluzapalooza 2012 |url=https://laluzdejesus.com/shows/2012/Kitschen-Sync/01_Laluzapalooza2012.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322001101/https://laluzdejesus.com/shows/2012/Kitschen-Sync/01_Laluzapalooza2012.htm |archive-date=2012-03-22 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=laluzdejesus.com}}</ref> and the Bay Area [Maker Faire](/source/Maker_Faire)<ref>https://bayarea.makerfaire.com/</ref> Applied Kinetic Arts<ref>{{cite web | url=https://makerfaire.com/maker/entry/51228/ | title=Applied Kinetic Arts }}</ref> Group Gallery Space.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=2012-04-22 |title=Barbiebot and pals |url=https://boingboing.net/2012/04/21/barbiebot-and-pals.html |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Boing Boing |language=en-US}}</ref>

Avitzur was included in ''Between Seer and Seen'', a photo book of Santa Barbara County artists, released in 2013 by [Mark Robert Halper](/source/Mark_Robert_Halper).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-09-03 |title=Fall 2013 |url=https://issuu.com/santabarbaramag/docs/fall_2013_digital/94 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Issuu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Halper |first=Mark Robert |title=Between Seer and Seen: Celebrating the Artists of Santa Barbara County |publisher=Late Harvest Editions |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-9845538-2-2 |pages=161}}</ref>

Avitzur participated in a video and advertising campaign for financial and retirement services company Athene<ref>https://www.athene.com/</ref> in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tal Avitzur Testimonial |url=https://www.athene.com/tal-avitzur |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204104420/https://www.athene.com/tal-avitzur |archive-date=2024-12-04 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=www.athene.com |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2023 Avitzur organized the first Santa Barbara Uptown Artists Open Studio Tour.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Victorino |first=Colette |date=2023-06-28 |title=Santa Barbara Uptown Open Studio Tour |url=https://www.independent.com/2023/06/28/santa-barbara-uptown-open-studio-tour/ |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=The Santa Barbara Independent |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Joyce |date=April 24, 2026 |title=Discovery Awaits on the Uptown SB Artists Studio Tour |url=https://issuu.com/casamagazine/docs/voice_magazine_april_24_2026 |work=Voice News |pages=33}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Avitzur lives with his wife, Lisa, in [Santa Barbara, CA](/source/Santa_Barbara%2C_California) and occasionally teaches mathematics at [Santa Barbara City College](/source/Santa_Barbara_City_College).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mezic |first=Ana |title=Video: Math teacher melds scraps into robot art |url=https://www.thechannels.org/features/2012/11/14/2239980/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=The Channels}}</ref> His home, workshop and gallery are run on solar power and he drives an electric car.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Artist turns tiny home into go-electric gallery {{!}} Rewiring America |url=https://www.rewiringamerica.org/stories/artist-designs-energy-resilient-home |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=www.rewiringamerica.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-15 |title=VOICE Magazine: August 16, 2024 |url=https://issuu.com/casamagazine/docs/8.16.24_voice_magazine/16 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Issuu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-13 |title=Congressman Carbajal, California Homeowner, and Local Advocates Celebrate Second Anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act With Front Porch Ribbon Cutting Event |url=https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3028 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal |language=en}}</ref>

== External links ==
*[https://talbotics.com/ Official website]

== References ==
<references />

{{DEFAULTSORT:Avitzur, Tal}}
Category:21st-century American sculptors
Category:Robotic art
Category:Assemblage artists
Category:Artists from Santa Barbara, California
Category:1962 births
Category:Living people
Category:University of California, Santa Barbara alumni

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tal Avitzur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_Avitzur) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_Avitzur?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.