Isamu Noguchi

description

An American sculptor and designer of Japanese descent. Isamu Noguchi was one of the most prominent and famous sculptors of the twentieth century in the United States. Throughout his life, he was engaged in art experiments, created original sculptures, design of furniture and ceramics, architectural and landscape projects. His extraordinary and bold style combined traditional and avant-garde elements, setting a new standard for contemporary art.

Noguchi did not lose touch with his historical homeland and spent a lot of time in Japan, opened a studio there. The artist regularly traveled around the world. The harmony of Japanese gardens and ceramics, the subtlety and grace of Chinese calligraphy, the gracefulness of Italian marble sculptures, the monumentality and brilliant simplicity of the art of the Indians of ancient America were reflected in his work.

The sculptor’s work was widely appreciated in the United States in 1938 after he created a large sculpture symbolizing freedom of the press for the Associated Press building in New York. This work was the first of many public facilities installed in various cities around the world. The works of Isamu Noguchi, from children’s playgrounds, city squares and squares to complete garden complexes, reflects his faith in the social significance of sculpture, which makes art accessible to everyone.

Key ideas:

– The sculptor used a wide range of materials: stainless steel, marble, cast iron, wood, bronze, sheet aluminum, basalt, granite and natural components such as water and sunlight. Noguchi chose the material depending on the idea of the sculpture, the size of the work, and the place where it was supposed to be installed.

– The turning point for the entire creative career of Noguchi was the day when he saw works of Konstantin Brancusi at one of the New York galleries. Inspired by the ideas of the great master, the young sculptor went to Paris, where he worked at the studio of his idol for one year. Due to the influence of Brancusi, the art of Isamu Noguchi acquired an abstract sound, while maintaining its special symbolism, lyricism and aura of mystery.

– Noguchi’s creativity is distinguished by a surprisingly harmonious combination of the most diverse styles and forms, a variety of ideas and themes. In his sculptures, he managed to combine geometric and organic shapes, traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern American symbols and create works that defied the generally accepted boundaries of design and fine art.

– The name of Isamu Noguchi is inextricably linked with Abstract Expressionism; this is confirmed by the strong expression of his works and friendly relations with many representatives of this movement. Nevertheless, the sculptural compositions of the master are based on natural forms and represent a peculiar combination of surreal and Japanese influence.

– The sculptor strove to make his art not only aesthetically beautiful but also practical, functional and useful for society. That is why he created the design of furniture, lighting devices and other things needed in everyday life, and also initiated many social projects for the construction of playgrounds, fountains and parks.

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Isamu Noguchi was born into a mixed family

Isamu Noguchi was born into a mixed family. Leoni Gilmore, his mother, was an American writer, her father, Yonejiro Noguchi, was a rather famous Japanese poet. The parents of the future sculptor broke up when he was three years old, but he continued to live with his mother in Japan. The boy began to learn the art of sculpture from a Japanese master who worked in a traditional folk style and instilled in him a love for natural materials and an understanding of their properties.

To get an American education, he moved to the USA

To get an American education, he moved to the USA, where he studied at an international school in Indiana. At school, Noguchi studied under the name Sam Gilmore. He was interested in natural sciences and upon graduation was invited to study medicine at Columbia University.

Started to study sculpture at the art school of Leonardo da Vinci

Started to study sculpture at the art school of Leonardo da Vinci. In the same year, Noguchi left Columbia University to focus on art. He began to use the name of his father – Noguchi and take part in student exhibitions at the da Vinci School, the National Academy of Design and the Academy of Fine Arts of Pennsylvania.

He studied at the Academy of Colarossi

Thanks to the Guggenheim scholarship, he went to Paris, where he studied at the Academy of Colarossi and worked at the workshop of Konstantin Brancusi. Noguchi was impressed by the work of the famous avant-garde sculptor during his exhibition in New York, and the work at his studio had a decisive influence on the formation of the personal artistic style of the young sculptor. Brancusi taught Noguchi methods of direct wood and stone carving and deep understanding of form and material.

Returned to America

Returned to America, where he organized a studio in New York. In April, Noguchi held an exhibition at the Eugene Schoen Gallery, where he displayed his abstract works created in Paris. He met Richard Buckminster Fuller, who had a strong influence on him and became his friend for many years. At that time, Noguchi made his living by creating custom-made portrait sculptures.

Noguchi began to engage in monumental sculpture

After a long trip to China, Japan and Mexico, he returned to New York. Noguchi began to engage in monumental sculpture, having completed several large orders for public buildings. He also worked closely with the Martha Graham Theater, creating decorations for dance and theater performances.

Voluntarily went to the Arizona internment camp

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the attitude of the authorities and the public towards the artist deteriorated sharply. Noguchi submitted several protests to the government against the infringement of the rights of citizens of Japanese descent and voluntarily went to the Arizona internment camp. In the camp, Isamu Noguchi spent seven months.

He began to create lighting fixtures and furniture

In addition to working on several projects of landscape design, he began to create lighting fixtures and furniture. Noguchi’s lamps, which were called “Akari”, as well as elegant furniture sets, harmoniously complemented the modern interiors and were very popular.

Spent a long time in Italy

Spent a long time in Italy. The Italian marble sculpture made a great impression on the artist, and he created several works from this material.

Moved to Japan

Moved to Japan, where he worked in his studio on the island of Shikoku. In the late period of his career, Noguchi made sculptures mainly from natural materials. He also continued to create monumental public sculptures, parks, fountains and playgrounds for various cities around the world.