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The Isamu Noguchi Exhibition

29 Sep 2005 Category: Events & Exhibitions, Japan, Products

Isamu Noguchi Exhibition is taking place at Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo

Isamu Noguchi reminds me of Picasso. Noguchi and Picasso both lived long lives and continued to be creative until the very end. They didn’t limit themselves with only one medium. And also due to their facial figures such as piercing eyes, imposing noses, and their glamorous　love affairs, to me, they have similar images.

I always wonder whether libido varies directly to artists’ creative energy.　I mean I often hear stories of great artists, writers and rock stars and their romantic records. (One time I heard that Gene Simmons from Kiss has slept with more than 4000 women…. Actually, he has to have good management skill as well to handle this much without having grudge from ladies.） I guess their creative energy makes them so attractive that the opposite sex (and same sex) can’t leave them alone.

Anyway, I went to Noguchi’s exhibition. His sculptural works full of playful spirits from various dates were gathered and exhibited in the museum. But I have to say that the hightlight of the exhibition was “Energy Void.”

“Energy Void” is known to be one of his masterpieces. However, it is usually exhibited at the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum Japan in Mure, Kagawa Prefecture, where Isamu lived his twighlight years, and it has said 　to be never allowed to be taken out of the place until now! This piece (3.6 meters in hight, and more than 17 tons in weight) is displayed alone at one of the very spacy room with vaulted ceiling. Talking of space, actually all of the works were given enough space in between, which I like it a lot about this exhibition.

“Energy Void” shows us various impressions depends on where your standing point is. Walking around this huge sculpure, I was so tempted to touch it. I was thinking, “If Isamu is still alive, he might say, ‘OK! you can feel it!’” Well it is only my imagination. I wondered if it is as smooth as it appears, if it is nice and cold when I touch it? I wanted to climb up or sit on it, too. I guess museum people wouldn’t like me if they knew what I was thinking. I can understand it is their job to make sure no one gets hurt and the art is kept safe…

Actually there was a place satisfy my desire; where you could actually touch and play with his sculptures. Sculptural playground equipment was placed in the museum courtyard and visitors were allowed to play with them. These two pieces were from Moerenuma Park, Isamu Noguchi’s landscape sculpture!

Moerenuma Park in Hokkaido(north part of Japan) was the last work in his life. Noguchi passed away soon after he finished the master plan drawing for the park. 17 years after his death, the park finally completed and opened in July 1st 2005. Amazing pictures and miniature model of the park were shown in the last part of this exhibition. It is huge park including woods, small hills, playgrounds and fountain. You can experience his scultures by running around in the woods, bathing in the water and rolling down the hill! I have to go there!

Written by Kyoko

"The Isamu Noguchi Exhibition" poster, in front of Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo

sculptural playground equipments from Moerenuma ParkPlay are exhibited outside

One of the playground equipments, "Octetra"

you can touch it and play with it

10 Comments

After 20 years of planning and building Moerenuma Park, it shows another example of the earth as sculpture. He taught me important lessons in designing gardens as an art form, sculpture + horticulture=ART. He was my oyakata, my sensei. I miss him very much! When I’m creating a garden, I sense him looking over my shoulder.

Posted by: J. Skuba on April 19th, 2007 at 11:59 am
I am art student from Argentina and Isamu Noguchi is a teacher in art and life.

Posted by: nuria grosso on August 1st, 2007 at 2:24 am
thanks for this subject

Posted by: kurye on February 16th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Excellent. As an aspiring illustrator this article was really inspirational. Thank you Ping Mag. I love your site. :)thank for your subject

Posted by: konteyner on December 24th, 2010 at 7:13 am
all exhibitions done is Japan require visitors fill out their information. this is done so that the organizers can send

Posted by: perdeci on December 24th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Ping Mag. I love your site. :)thank for your subject

Posted by: amed on December 25th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
maurers

Posted by: maurers on February 22nd, 2011 at 12:33 am
Ping Mag. I love your site. :)thank for your subject

Posted by: dinner on April 28th, 2011 at 6:21 pm
neyin varsa bilmis senin insan oglu kendini arar dunya doner milim milim

Posted by: goruntulu sohbet on August 6th, 2011 at 2:16 am
Very Nice! makes me remind the coloured performance of the early pink floyd!

Posted by: christian louboutin on November 10th, 2011 at 1:28 pm

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