Isamu Noguchi
Isamu Noguchi’s work reflects the ideas and ethos of Wabi-Sabi, which implies a beauty in the imperfect and instability of the natural. His work goes beyond function and asks us to interact with his work in different ways. He invites us to create a more interdisciplinary view of art in more actively connecting it with our environment and design. There is an ease and simplicity associated with Isamu Noguchi that allows for a breathability with art and a more relaxed, comfortable approach.
Noguchi, born in 1904 as the illegitimate son of famed Japanese poet, Yone Noguchi, and American editor, Léonie Gilmour, is known internationally for his public works and sculptures. The American artist and landscape architect also created, as contemporarily known, the manifesto for modern art furniture alongside George Nelson, Paul László and Charles Eames.
He began his studies with medicine at Columbia University, but his early desire to pursue art eventually triumphed with Noguchi dropping out to fully pursue sculpting. Shortly after, he was awarded the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship to study the human figure for art in Paris as many began to recognize his innate talent. Noguchi also was a vocal activist against the rising anti-Japanese views in America following Pearl Harbour. His belief in peace and balance translated over into other areas stemming from his art form. He worked to stop the internment camps against Japanese-Americans through writing and filming a documentary.
Both in the art world and beyond, Noguchi remains to be an influential figure and continues to challenge us to go beyond the fixed and immediate.
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