Noguchi Unrivaled
Isamu Noguchi is a renaissance man. He is an artist that should be as well known as any of the greats, from DaVinci to Diego Rivera to Brancusi, whose work set him on a path. Noguchi’s story and passion is relevant and urgent now. Born in Los Angeles to an American of Irish descent and a Japanese poet, he grew up in Japan. He came back to the US to attend high school in LaPorte, IN. (His biography states he was always proud of being a Hoosier.) Later, he settled in New York.
His fame rose as a result of a public sculpture work on the face of the Associated Press building at Rockefeller Center in 1940. He was deeply affected by the attack on Pearl Harbor and became an activist. He cofounded Nisei Writers and Artists Mobilization for Democracy, “a group dedicated to raising awareness of the patriotism of Japanese Americans.” He voluntarily entered an internment camp in Arizona. When he was released six months later, he moved back to Greenwich Village. His experiences fueled his art.
He also branched into other arenas collaborating with Martha Graham and George Balanchine and Merce Cunningham to create stage sets. He is also known for playground designs that he made with architect Louis Kahn.
The Noguchi museum is deep in Queens, across from Costco and close to the East River. It’s an unassuming oasis that features both indoor and outdoor galleries. Another draw is the gift shop, which features his famous paper light lamps.
To visit the museum in midwinter is to see the sculpture onto themselves. The peace and the vibe make this a four season museum and worthy of multiple trips. Noguchi work is also featured around the US, Mexico, Israel, Japan and several other countries.
A new exhibit, “Noguchi’s New York” opens February 4.
The Noguchi Museum
9-01 33rd Rd, Astoria, NY 11106
Noguchi.org
