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The Arts Intel Report

Isamu Noguchi: Ways of Discovery

Apr 24 – Aug 29, 2021
Japan, 〒110-0007 Tokyo, Taito City, Uenokoen, 8−36 東京都美術館

“Everything is sculpture,” said the Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi. “Any material, any idea without hindrance born into space, I consider sculpture.” Inspired by Constantin Brâncuși, Noguchi spent his life creating abstract art that looked born of the natural world. He established a studio on the Japanese island of Shikoku, where he spent six months a year until his death, carving large basalt and granite sculptures. During W.W. II, Noguchi found himself caught in limbo between his two heritages—East and West—suddenly in mortal conflict. His sculptures began to symbolize peace. This exhibition presents major works, such as Avatar (1947) and Black Sun (1967–69), and explores the profound influence Noguchi has had on Japanese culture. —E.C.

Isamu Noguchi, “Black Sun,” 1967–69 © 2021. The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum/ARS, NY/JASPAR, Tokyo.