In a nod to the tradition propagated by the Oscars, we decided
to take time to acknowledge the most influential figures in our
sphere that have passed away in the last year. While this list
is in no way exhaustive—from music to art and design and more,
the world lost an immense amount of talent this past year—the 12
luminaries featured here strike a particular chord for their
immeasurable talent and contributions to their respective
fields. Read on to remember the innovators who have passed but
will continue to inspire the creative community for countless
years to come. Famed Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer passed
last year at the ripe age of 104, working until his death and
leaving behind a legacy of Modernist masterpieces. Best known
for his lyrical and radiant museum in Rio de Janeiro and
government buildings in Brasília, Niemeyer is credited with
helping Brazil carve out a national architectural identity. A
contemporary of Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright, Niemeyer
revolutionized Brazilian architect