Noguchi Museum Visit

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These photos are from a recent visit to the Noguchi Museum in Queens, New York. Isamu Noguchi was a Los Angeles-born artist of Japanese descent who was best known for his sculptures and public artworks. His work and philosophy were deeply grounded in wabi-sabi, especially in the relationship of his sculptures and outdoor designs to their natural settings. His attention to light, shadows and space reflect that aesthetic. Asymmetric designs that often include rough, unfinished components are a hallmark of his work. Of note to those interested in Wabi-Sabi Electronics, he also designed the Zenith Radio Nurse, the world’s first electronic baby monitor, now part of MOMA’s permanent collection. Noguchi called it “my only strictly industrial design.” The muted color and organic shape brought a simple yet organic feel to the nacent device.

In the photos below, look for organic forms, contextual design, asymmetry, shadows and the quiet humility and compassion of an artist who volunteered to live in an internment camp during WWII to provide creative skills and design services to his fellow internees. His combinations of rough-hewn wood, varied stone and attention to contentual synergy are wonderful inspiration for a new generation of wabi-sabi practitioners.