Hyperallergic's weekly In Memoriam column honors several figures from the art world who recently died, including postminimalist sculptor Alan Saret (1944–2026), Franco-Argentine kinetic artist Julio Le Parc (1928–2026), art-world satirist Hilde Lynn Helphenstein (1985–2026), figurative painter Jay Milder (1934–2026), arts advocate Randall Bourscheidt (1944–2026), Vietnamese photographer Dang Van Phuoc (1935–2026), British actor and art dealer Robin Alastair Hurlstone (1958–2026), and Belgian multimedia artist Marie-Jo Lafontaine (1950–2026). Each obituary highlights their contributions, from Saret's wire sculptures and Le Parc's kinetic works to Helphenstein's satirical Instagram account and Bourscheidt's advocacy for artists with AIDS.
This roundup matters because it marks the passing of influential figures who shaped contemporary art, from postminimalism and kinetic art to art-world satire and advocacy. Their legacies—such as Le Parc's upcoming Tate Modern retrospective and Saret's permanent installation at MoMA PS1—continue to influence artists, curators, and audiences. The column also underscores the breadth of the art world, encompassing visual artists, dealers, photographers, and advocates whose work intersected with broader cultural and political movements.