"The art of stone in a Japanese garden is that of placement. Its ideal does not deviate from that of nature... But I am also a sculptor of the West. I place my mark and do not hide."
-Isamu Noguchi
Los Angeles' own Isamu Noguchi created some of the most iconic furniture pieces from the last century - pieces that to this day represent all that is sleek, chic, and museum worthy in the world of mid century design.
His coffee table and his Akari light sculpture lamps are among the most easily recognizable, highly coveted, and heavily knocked off.
Also a great sculptor and landscape designer, Noguchi created some of the world’s most beautiful gardens, landscapes and outdoor sculptures including gardens for keio university in tokyo, lever house in new york a sculpture garden for the national museum in jerusalem among others.
The Isamu Noguchi foundation is dedicated to maintaining and promoting the artistic legacy of Noguchi.
I'm surprise to see there are no posts on this. Certainly there is much to say about Noguchi, particularly from those in LA. His work is everywhere.
Even before the mid-century modern craze, I've been a big Noguchi admirer. His iconic glass top table is an amazing work of art, part sculpture, part functional object, simple and elegant. He designed this table out of spite after T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings took the design credit for a similar sculptural table he had designed earlier and the rest is history.
I am very fornutate, 10 years ago I found a pristine older version of this table for free out on the street curb on trash pick-up day in the Valley. Noguchi must be watching my back that day.
To Whom It May Concern,
For an artist who has made so many striking works of art, the Lightning Bolt in Philadelphia is a never ending blemish on a stellar career. It needs to be revised and redone, in the same vein, as the artist had intended. The are ways to undo the structural problems and create a striking piece of sculpture... However -as it is - it is an unfinished, disproportionate shell of what might have been...
If anyone else is concerned about this existing as it does and remaining a discredit to his ability, please contact me. I would like for there to be a movement to make 'right' this unfortunate mistake...
Enclosed is my Email address for direct correspondence:
mgcallison@yahoo.com