Essay #3: Noguchi Museum

The Noguchi Museum is an anomaly in the art world. To have one's own museum is my greatest fantasy as an artist. It is a testament to the impact and cultural capital that Mr. Noguchi created in his lifetime. The museum is filled with his life's work and up until now he was the only artist that was exhibited in the space. I was thrilled to discover that during our visit they would be showing another artist at the museum for the first time, and one of my favorites to boot, Mr. Tom Sachs. It was an interesting opportunity to see Noguchi's work on its own and then to view it mixed with another artist.  I selected one work from each artist for this exercise.

The first piece is by Isamu Noguchi entitled “Heart of Darkness” (1974). It is a free standing 3 dimensional sculpture made with obsidian and wood. The base is two thick, roughly hewn wood planks with a negative space in between that creates an upward channel. It is crowned by natural stone that was partially carved in a subtractive process, then polished and potentially pigmented. The juxtaposition of textures, as well as the carved shapes, conjures an interesting interplay between elements. Most of the piece remains the natural color and texture of the material, while the smooth black areas draw the eye and channel movement. There is an impression that water is involved somehow. The shapes in the composition are also contrasting; the base and the stone are blocky and rectilinear in contrast with the sensual curves of the carved areas. There are strong vertical lines that support the heavy horizontal plane at the top, creating a "flow" of energy that swirls around the objects. It is interesting to think about the “movement” of the piece when it is composed of such typically inert elements.

The second work is by the artist Tom Sachs. Most of his work at the museum is part of the “Tea Ceremony” installation, so I wanted to focus on a stand alone piece that is one of his motifs, “the plywood cinderblock”. As you may have guessed, the piece is made of plywood, a beloved material of the artist. I'm not sure if the base was also created by Mr. Sachs or if it is one of Noguchi's bases appropriated for the display. In any case it, the wooden base creates a visual relationship between the two artists. The cinderblock is visually ironic, normally made with cement and usually a very mundane object used as building material. In this case it is presented as a 3D sculpture, in "natural" plywood, with little finish. It is a polished rendering, with clean lines and precise curves. It draws its visual interest from anomaly. One of the artist's strengths is transforming mundane objects; a "cosmic re-branding" of typical bric-a-brac into something awesome.

These two works are related, in my mind, through form. The strong vertical lines and masculine “upward” energy imply some sort of martial progress. There are sensual curves and textures in both works. While the mood and intention of both artists reads very differently, the forms and what they connote have a common ground.  

It was a pleasure to visit the Noguchi Museum and experience the great work it has to offer. I’m planning to visit the museum again in the near future. They are offering guests who register a chance to participate in Tom Sachs’ Tea Ceremony, so I’m hoping my name will be drawn. In any case, I would like to spend more time contemplating the work and exploring the museum a bit further. 

Essay #3 Nouchi Museum

 

                The Noguchi Museum and Socrates Sculpture Park both located in Long Island City, Queens provide amazing spaces filled with art, specifically sculptures. The Noguchi Museum featured works created by Isamu Noguchi over his lifetime, and for the first time in the history of the museum another artist other than Noguchi, Toms Sachs. Socrates Sculpture Park, similar to the Noguchi Museum, features sculptures throughout the park integrating art with nature and open spaces.

                While visiting the Noguchi Museum the class and I had the great experience of a guided tour which provided some insightful information to Noguchi’s life and helped interpret some of Noguchi’s pieces. We learned that Noguchi’s complicated family background led to a big discord between his Japanese and American ancestry which becomes a theme prevalent in a lot of his pieces. The first piece we looked at, Fudo, was one which was created out of a granite commonly found in Japan and stainless steel. The two materials used in Fudo are meant to represent Noguchi’s two heritages and how he believes they come together. I thought his choice of materials and the way he formed them together created a very pronounced contrast. The stainless steel embodied a very modern and “advanced” feeling often associated with America while the granite gives more of a natural and traditional impression commonly associated with Japanese culture. Fudo is an example of a free standing sculpture created by two different techniques specific to each material used in the sculpture. The metal aspect of the sculpture is created by an additive method of sculpture called casting which utilizes a mold into which liquid metal is poured into. The stone aspect of the sculpture was created by carving, a subtractive method of sculpture that requires removing parts of a material with a tool, more often some sort of chisel.

                The Sculptures in Socrates Sculpture Park consists of different types, ranging from free standing sculptures to assemblage sculptures. Similar to Tom Sachs’ sculptures displayed within the Noguchi Museum, the sculptures found within Socrates Sculpture Park contain many unconventional materials and elements such as live bees, glass bottles and keys. The initial sculpture I was drawn too was one that resembled a ship wrecked boat. Visible from the entrance of the park, the sculpture needed to be seen from quite a bit of a distance to really see the shapes the artist was intending to make.  When I continued to get closer to the sculpture it was then I noticed the types of unconventional material the artist used. The title of the piece is Half Moon created by artist Abigail Deville, the piece offers viewers another perspective on items if seen separately, someone would associate with trash. Half Moon is an example of an assemblage sculpture, created and assembled by found objects, displaying them in a new light.

 

                Overall I thought the trip to the Noguchi Museum and Socrates Sculpture Park really introduced me to different types of sculptures. I think prior to my interaction with the sculptures I viewed throughout the trip I had a really limited knowledge of sculptures, naturally just picturing a statue when hearing the word sculpture. It was awesome to see that materials like rocks could be sculpted to take on different contexts and that sculptures could be created by essentially people’s trash and emit a completely different message than junk.

The Noguchi Museum

Isamu Noguchi

On My 18th, our class had the great opportunity to go visit the Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, Queens. This museum is unique for being the only one in the country dedicated to one artist, the Japanese-American  designer, artist, engineer, Isamu Noguchi.

However, in the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the museum for the first time ever a guest artist has been invited to temporarily exhibit in the museum. The elected artist was Tom Sachs. The reason they picked him is because his work is similar to Noguchi's. They both like to mix Japanese and Western cultures.

Noguchi had a Japanese father and an American mother. He got rejected by his dad who was ashamed of having a child with a western woman. He lived everywhere and said that he felt at home anywhere because he never really had a home. It is  probably the reason he mixes Japanese and Western culture so much and also the contrast between rough and smooth. 

Noguchi died in 1985 at the age of 84-year-old. There is a Noguchi Museum in Japan as well, half of his ashes are in the New York City Museum and the other half in the Japanese one.

I enjoyed this museum more than I would have ever imagine. I had a very zen feeling all along the visit. I loved the purity and the simplicity in the rooms. It grew my interest for the Japanese culture and on a funny note I felt like Noguchi pretty much invented Ikea ( probably Ikea got really inspired by the artist) The Sachs part of the museum was not my favorite as I was not really feeling all the satanic references in his work.

Sculptures Analysis

Here is a sculpture from Isamu Noguchi. It is a 3D metal and free standing work. As I did not see any trace of welding, I assume that it could have been formed by casting. The work is additive and subtractive as we can see that some part have been cut out, or carved, to show off an inside part of the sculpture.

It is abstract with a geometrical shape. The texture is smooth with a stripes pattern on each triangle pattern.The positive shape is the metallic part, while the negative space is the cut out triangles and the 

empty space around the inside pyramid. 

This sculpture was realized by Tom Sachs. It is a representational abstract, free standing and additive work. It also is an ensemble. He collected different objects from the everyday life such as Q-tips and tampons and assembled them all to recreate a Japanese tree. For some parts he welded, some he nailed, some he glued, he used all kinds of methods to join the materials. The "tree" is the positive space and everything around is the negative space. The sculpture has an organic shape (tree-like shape). The texture is a mix of smooth and rough, depending on the object used under the layer of golden material. 

The Socrates Sculptures Park

To end this post, I will share the picture I took in the entrance of the Socrates Sculptures Park. I thought it was beautiful and reminded Noguchi's spirit with the contrast between cultures and textures...

Essay #3

            After my trip to the Noguchi Museum, I can say with a clear conscience that it is indeed the best museum that I have had the chance to visit thus far.  I make this claim based on several reasons but the most fundamental reason is the overall atmosphere that the museum radiates.  First and foremost is the location of the museum, which is located in relatively quiet part of Astoria just before the East River.  Comparing the location of the Noguchi Museum to the MET is perhaps as different as night and day.  The MET is located near the heart of Manhattan, which is filled to the brim with noise pollution and sounds that completely alter the vibe.  Whereas within the Noguchi Museum, you can actually hear the birds chirping! Going to the MET always seems like a chore, something that is not done for pleasure, which then turns into quite the hassle when you have duck and dodge the hundreds of tourists that flock towards the MET.  Going to The MET, to me, seems less about visiting an art museum and more about visiting a tourist attraction.  Upon entering into the Noguchi Museum however, you are almost immediately overcome with tranquility based solely on how quiet it is within the space.  The Zen nature of the Noguchi Museum is indeed by design, which Isamu Noguchi himself deliberately tried to associate with the Museum.  As my classmates and I split into groups, the group that I was in made our way past the garden and up the stairs.  As I looked back onto the garden that we had past, I was still kept in complete awe as to how quiet and serene the entire establishment made me feel.  I knew for certain that I had to revisit the garden below.

             The first piece that I had seen was this grand sculpture that contained two parts, a bottom part and a top part.  The bottom part contained a triangular piece of metal that seemed to pierce into the top part.  The triangle contained a lot of negative space in which you could seemingly put your hand right through the middle of the triangle. The top part of this sculpture is composed of a round piece of what seems to be a rock of some type.  The colors that are present in both structures show a bit of contrast when seen as one sculpture instead of two separate parts.  I was shocked to learn however that this piece was one of the first pieces made by Isamu Noguchi.  The entire piece as whole looked a bit non-threatening, it did not seem all that fantastical or have many bells and whistles about it.  The piece itself looked very simple and elegant.  However, the intersection in which the two objects meet draws the most attention.  At a distance, both the smooth rock on top and the urbane metal triangle seem to equal each other out. Neither part seeks to dominate the other, as if to say that both parts are in a state of harmony.  This piece, as the guide told us, reflected Isamu Noguchi’s cultural background.  The top part is a representation of his Japanese heritage and the bottom part represents his American heritage.  The rock that sat atop the triangle is actually a very specific type of marble that is used almost exclusively in Japanese architecture and landscaping.  The metal triangle symbolizes American Industrialism that Isamu Noguchi lived through during his time here in the early 1940’s.  The intersection of the two parts however, perhaps deals with how Noguchi felt about himself.  Being part of two very distinct cultures probably placed a great deal of stress on Noguchi himself, which is shown through the use of how deeply ingrained the two parts are.

            The second piece and the one that I felt immediately caught my attention was simply known as “The Well”.  When viewing this piece, I felt a very deep catharsis beginning to emerge within myself.  This is where I felt the atmosphere of the Noguchi Museum really helped to enhance my understanding of art in general.  The piece is simply a water-well dug into a sizeable rock.  The water then was allowed to flow outside the well and throughout the entirety of the rock.  The way the water modestly flowed throughout the sculpture and onto the rocks below was utterly peaceful to behold.  The area around this sculpture was filled with lush trees, rich grass and the pleasant sound of birds chirping throughout.  In a way, you almost don’t notice that there is flowing water coming outside of the rock.  It is only through the faintest glimmer of light that is reflected back from the rock that you realize that there is indeed a source of water emanating from the sculpture.  In both pieces, there is a distinct sense of peace and tranquility that the artist perhaps added intentionally.  Coupled with the Zen-like ambience surrounding the museum really set the tone to the viewer that you are about to witness true pieces of art; art that not only grabs the viewer in a physical sense through textures and different surfaces but also intellectually through various placements.  Visiting the Noguchi Museum not only enriched my perception of art but also my soul. 

The Noguchi Museum & Socrates Park

The Noguchi museum was great and definitely different from what I'm used to. There were lots of interesting things that I didn't expect. The first sculpture I'm going to talk about is this 3-D model of a lobster. (I didn't get the chance to find out who created the work) This piece of art is definitely representational due the fact we can recognize this object in real life. Just by looking at you can tell it was made from metal but then if you look even closer it's made out of metal tools; therefore, this sculpture is an assemblage and constructed. It's both additive and subtractive. For example the claws of the lobster are made of pliers. It's made from other metallic tools but I just don't know their technical terms. The fact that it was made up of partial tools and not the whole thing makes it subtractive. The sculpture is also free standing due to all the negative space around it. It defines the piece and makes it easier to view.

            The second sculpture I'm going to talk about is his tree that was on the first floor of the museum. This piece of artwork was also representational due to the obvious fact that it was a tree. It's base was a rectangular box. This was also freestanding due to all the negative space around it. You were able to walk around it and get the full affects of this tree. I was looking at the art work inches away, walking around it, when I suddenly realized what it was made out of. Metal tooth brushes and Q-Tips ! The trunk and branches of the tree were metal but then when it got to the tips of the branches you can see the tooth brushes. Then from there the tooth brush branches have Q-Tip branches to give the tree a really twiggy look to it. It's as if they dipped the tooth brushes and Q-Tips into a metal and then molded them together on the tree when done. I would say they used the modeling technique due to the manipulation of the tooth brushes and Q-tips. Like the first piece of work, this is also more additive and not subtractive.

            These pieces were very similar. They were both made of metal, they were freestanding, they were representational because we can make relations to what they are in our real world, and they are both additive. The only real differences are the lobster piece was subtractive due to the metallic tools being taken apart to be make this metal lobster. The second piece was more manipulated than the first piece due to the addition of modeling used with the tooth brushes and Q-Tips.

            I enjoyed this museum more than I thought. I didn't like the abstract sculptures because I honestly don't enjoy abstract at all, but overall it was a great experience. I also liked how the museum was a part of the outside. I feel as though it connected with nature. The little garden with sculptures within it and the piece with the fishes really gave that feeling. After that I went to the Socrates sculpture park and it was amazing even though they are renovating the park. I got to capture some of the statues that were by the entrance of the park like the boy wearing a bat man shirt with roller skates. Or the guy shirtless with a basketball leaning on the boom box. But my favorite of them all was the piano they used as an active bee hive. You can see the holes made for them to access the piano, their home. I also loved how it was by the water with a great view. I really enjoyed this trip. 

 

 young Noguchi

 Tour guide Holly

 The Well

Fudo

Essay # 3 Blog Post

On May 18, 2016 the class visited The Noguchi Museum. It was also Art museum day on that date to the admission fee was free. The museum is located in Long Island City, Astoria which gives it a magical touch for some of Noguchi’s sculptures at display. The Noguchi museum was founded and designed by himself Japanese- American artist Isamu Noguchi born on 1904 and died 1988. The museum was opened in 1985 and was the first to be established in America by a living artist. Noguchi was different and led a unique lifestyle than most he was one of a kind and I believe it’s what made him such a great artist. The most amazing thing about the museum was that Noguchi was the curator of his own museum and it gives us a better idea and understanding of his works. Our tour guide Holly shared with our group some interesting facts about Noguchi and his parents. The museum opened in 1985 and Noguchi died in 1988, he was 84 yrs old but at least he got to see his museum available to the public. While visiting the museum 2 sculptures I decided to observe and use in my essay which were “The Well” and “Fudo.” In “The Well” we can clearly see 2 sides of the sculpture. One side is smooth and the other rough. On the top there’s a circle right in the middle with different color sides. Theirs is also water equally flowing which might represent peaceful movement. This I would consider it a subtractive carving because he had to shape the well but also additive because he added the movement of the water and completed the sculpture by placing it in an area where it could be understood by all people. I would also consider the sculpture as a nonrepresentational art because he created this new work and it’s not very common to see it in our surroundings because it’s unique. He also used different ideas behind the work and maybe he created 2 different sides by which represented him and left some American culture and some Japanese in his art. He felt he needed to express himself and leave a mark of the creator in the piece of art. The other piece of work was also his “Fudo” which also has two different part created in different regions of the world but united as one piece of art. One part which is the top is like a round figure made of granite. The base is made of metal which is shiny, smooth and completes the sculpture. The word “Fudo” means guardian of Pluto. I would consider the sculpture a carved and subtractive work of art and a nonrepresentational art. Holly our tour guide mentioned the top part of art was created in Japan and the other was created in the U.S. now as we compare the two works of art they are very similar because both have 2 sides I could easily say from my experience at the museum and learning about Noguchi himself I can safely say we poured some of his American and Japanese heart on to his works. That was who he was he belonged to both but wanted to share that with his viewers.  As we analyze them and contrast them we can clearly see that 2 pieces of art were converted into one piece in order to create something unique. Because when you analyze either art we can see an American perspective and on the other side we see the Japanese perspective. He used 2 different ideas to his advantage and created something Noguchi, just like him with two sides of his heart. He was an extraordinary artist for which not only an artist but also a designer/ engineer/ artist. He did it all and won the heart of the people. We are very lucky to have his museum nearby and being able to admire his works from a close angle is very special for all people even better for art lovers. It is a great privilege to be able to visit and see the museum he created for us. I admire his courage and creativity because it teaches us that different is okay and good will come out of it. I will end with one of his sayings “to be hybrid anticipates the future.” And proved his words to be correct at the end of the day. 

Essay #3

The two pieces of Isamu Noguchi’s artwork that I chose to write about for this essay are:

1. The Well
2. Sky Mirror

“The Well” stuck in my mind long after we left the museum and I wanted to learn more about it.  It is based on “Tsukabai”,  which is a stone bowl in Japan used to wash your hands in a purifying way before entering a temple. His version is strikingly beautiful to me.  The contrast of smooth polished stone and rough one might be representing his own contrasts in himself of being Japanese American.  The colors and shapes seem to change as you walk around the sculpture which makes it seems alive. In Japan stone is often used to represent different gods and spirits of nature,  and though this was not in that shape or form,  it still gave the same sensation as those statues do  

“Sky Mirror” is another one of the artworks that captured my spirit and imagination.  I was disappointed not to find so much information about it as I would have liked to,  but it definitely inspired me with it’s texture and form. The top is highly polished to reflect the light from the sky,  while the surrounding outside is rough.  It’s amazing how two different surfaces can make such an impression when they are presented in this way.  

These two pieces are similar in the sense that they are both stone sculptures.  They both are meant to dwell within a natural setting.  “The well” is for catching water,  and “sky mirror” is for catching light. Both sculptures give me a sense of peace and an appreciation of nature.  The polished stone is beautiful and so is the rough.  Like in nature there is smooth surface and rough,  but they complement each other and Noguchi is very good at expressing that in his artwork. They are also both made of the same material,  Basalt. The asymmetry of both pieces still somehow seems balanced,  even without being in a perfect shape.

The major difference between “the well” and “sky mirror” is the hole in “the well” where the water comes out.  Otherwise “the well” might also be a “sky mirror”.  That hole makes a big difference in the sculpture’s function and also it’s visual appeal. “Sky mirror” is a bit smaller and seems flatter because it is wider than it is tall, which makes me feel the impulse to look down at it,  to view it from the top,  while “the well” gives me the urge to walk up next to it and around it, appreciating the different sides.

Isamu Noguchi is very interesting to me now. I didn’t know much about him before we went to the museum. Since our trip I have read a lot about him and am fascinated by his life. I feel that he maybe appreciated and tried to express  the beauty in Japanese art even more than most Japanese artists because of his own struggles with attempting to discover his identity. His artwork,  I think reflects his dual identity by the way he uses contrasts in surfaces and also how he balances man made objects with nature. His art expresses complex feelings and emotions in simple yet meaningful forms.  Noguchi's work blends into the environment in a harmonious way, and as I read about him,  I learn that that was his main intention as an artist.  

Our trip to the museum was a very moving experience for me. I felt very calm, especially in the garden.  The gravel and pine trees reminded me very much of Japan, and I got a bit nostalgic.  The artworks gave me a sense of an organic peaceful life.  I was amazed how a great artist can make stone feel like it's alive. I appreciate more how a sculpture can not only represent something objective,  but also change how I would feel about the environment that is surrounding the work itself.  I will continue to learn more about Isamu Noguchi and will definitely return to see his beautiful art again.

Essay #3 - My Trip to the Noguchi Museum

My trip to the Noguchi Museum brought back a lot of memories for me. Back in highschool, I had the opportunity to participate in their "Learning 2 Look" program, twice. We had classes and workshops back and forth between my school and the museum. At the end of the program, we got to present some finished art pieces to the public in a small gallery for a day. I took notice of the things that changed, and the things that did not. For example, during that time, it was unheard of for the Noguchi Museum to feature any artist's works other than Noguchi's. Now, though, the museum is featuring Tom Sachs' work. So needless to say, it was certainly an interesting experience for me coming back here.
Speaking of Tom Sachs; while roaming the multiple rooms of the museum, I came across this interesting piece:

This piece is called "Bonsai", and it was made by Tom Sachs in 2016. It was made by wielding together over 3,600 individual bronze casts, which I found to be pretty amazing. What I found even more amazing though was the items that were used for the casts... Those being common bathroom items. Q-tips, toilet paper rolls, toothbrushes, pipes, and even pregnancy tests!

I found it quite intriguing that the artist chose to use bathroom items for something such as a bonsai tree; in Japan, they're seen as things of beauty, worthy to display in the house for valued guests. Many even consider growing bonsai to be an art form. So to see this all come together into something that's still really beautiful, albeit in a different way, is really cool.

This sculpture is representational, as we can clearly see that it is a bonsai tree. However, all shapes (except for the square base) are organic. There are also a lot of lines, mostly made with the q-tips and rolls so as to represent the trunk and branches. Value can also be seen by the shadow the sculpture casts down onto the floor; in my opinion, it gives the sculpture a really neat look, as it gives the illusion that there is more positive space despite it actually being negative and just a shadow. It adds a lot of dimension to the piece.

The next piece that really caught my attention was actually this Barbie made by Tom Sachs, made in 2013: 

It's Untitled, but in parenthesis it says, "I loved my sister's barbie so very much. My parents, afraid that I'd turn out gay, encouraged carpentry. In secrecy I made my own. It wasn't love, only lust." I was really taken aback by that , and it really made me appreciate this piece all the more. I can actually really relate to that because, as a child, I was really interested in (stereo-typically) "male" hobbies, such as sports, comics and games. I wanted nothing to do with traditional girly or feminine things, such as dress up, pink, or boys. My parents heavily disapproved of that and tried to shove the latter down my throat, even as a kid, so I had to find means of doing what I liked in secret, and it felt really terrible. I can really understand how much sentimental value and meaning this barbie holds to the artist, and that's so powerful. I was really happy that I caught it.

This representational sculpture is made with plywood, hardwood, and vectran. There are a lot of lines seen in the wood, and also in her hair. The shapes are all organic. We can see a mix of cool and warm colors, as her body and lips are warm tones (brown, red) while her hair and eyes are cool (white, blue). While I didn't want to touch her with my hands so as to not damage her, I can definitely assume that the texture of this sculpture would feel more rough than smooth, perhaps with the exception of her hair. 

I think when it comes to comparing and contrasting these two sculptures, my first thought is that they're definitely more different than they are similar. Bonsai was made with a LOT of bronze casts, while the barbie was made with a few carved wooden pieces and fiber, and they're both vastly different in regards to subject matter. However, they actually have more in common than I initially thought. Both were assembled, as the Bonsai and barbie both had pieces that had to be put together, so that's something that they share. Additionally, they're both representational works. They're also both using materials that are not typically used to make what it is they're representing; Bonsai is representing a tree, but is using bathroom products to do so, and the barbie is representing a barbie, but is made with wood and not plastic. So they're meant to be representative of conventional images, but are made with unconventional material and means.

Tom Sachs actually really interests me as an artist. As a DIY lover myself who enjoys crafting and tinkering with things to see what I can make with them, I really appreciate Tom's DIY approach to his art work, such as with the barbie, or the lobster above (which I had a mini freak-out over because I thought it was the coolest thing ever). I think it's also really awesome that he uses a lot of re-purposed material and has this sort of anti-materialism message going on. The environment is something I'm really passionate about, so it's always awesome to see this sort of thing, especially in art. Also, he really loves outer space, and I thought all his work concerning it was really awesome too. I always love all things concerning the cosmos.

I think his work heavily contrasts Noguchi's in that a lot of Noguchi's work was more concerned with minimalism, and it seemed a lot more earthy. There's also more mystery with Noguchi's art, I think; you don't entirely know the meaning behind some of his work upon looking at it, while Tom's seemed a little more straightforward. I also felt a lot more calm around Noguchi's pieces, though I'm not really sure why. I think his pieces were just kind of "easier" to look at in that there weren't many shapes, lines, or details to take in. 

I honestly wish the museum was bigger so I could see more. I definitely plan on returning as not only was the art incredibly interesting, but the atmosphere of the museum itself was wonderful. I didn't feel overwhelmed by security, or worried that I was getting too close to a piece, or if it was getting a little too crowded; it felt so serene and it was truly a lovely viewing experience. The garden in particular was quite relaxing. I'm really glad I went!

Essay #3

I had incredible experience in Noguchi museum in last class. This place is not only museum, but also a experiencing new art world. First, I want to share about Isamu Noguchi before talking about his arts. I am very proud of him personally because he is the most challenger person I ever known. His father’s name is Yone Noguchi who came to the U.S. He met Reoni Gilmour and they were working together. In 1904 Reoni was birth Isamu Noguchi in the Looseness and they went to Japan to meet Yone Noguchi. However, they could not get back together and Reoni opened English Language School in Japan. After Isamu Noguchi grew up, he came to the U.S. by himself when he was 14 years old. He was studying in the Columbia University to become a doctor. However, he left his university and attended to an art school. He traveled many countries to learn different arts, cultures and styles. Finally he combine together with his own ideas to create a new art. In 1985 he opened his museum and he became one of the most famous artist, designer, and engineer.  Finally he passed away in 1988 at age 84. I believe that he truly loves art very much, has incredible talents of art, and was making so much effort to create each piece.

  I want to share two great works in this essay. First sculpture which name is “To intrude on natures ways”. Isam Noguchi made this couple years before pasting away. When I saw this work at the first time, I thought it is just a big rock but after looking it closely, it has a nice shape like a human body, and has specific 3 cuts like separating a face, upper body, and lower body. Moreover, it has different kind of colors by cutting and also has different textures. He wants to tell us that east culture and west cultures through this piece. The east culture is staying natural and the west culture is cutting and changing. After I heard details of this work, my eyes opened through this sculpture and it made me into this art more and more. Even though he used only one marble material of rock, he created many different shape, colors and textures in this work. That is why I am in love this sculpture.

   Second sculpture is “The well” which has very smooth movements by water. Moreover water was flowing equally even though it has rough texture because of 6 edges. Therefore, it shows that this rough texture is west culture and other side of smooth texture is east culture. I felt Japan through this work because many Japanese sculpture use water and people enjoy the water sound in Japan. I felt very relax and calm by watching this piece.

   I believe that Noguchi focused in “texture” the most because whenever I see his works, I want to tough, feel and experience them. Moreover, when I tough his works, I feel more close to the arts and drawn into his art world. That is why I love his arts and the Noguchi museum is my favorite museum I ever gone.

Essay #3

       The Noguchi Museum was founded and designed by a Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988). The museum display Noguchi life’s works and few Tom Sachs. Unlike other two Museums we visited in Manhattan, the Noguchi Museum has less visitors and it is very peaceful, that is very helpful when I concentrate and appreciation on their artworks.

       The class was divided into two groups, and I was in second groups. At the beginning,  the guide brought us to the second floor, and show us one of the Noguchi’s works which represent Noguchi himself. The exhibit has two parts. The first part is a stone with smooth surface, on the top of the stone has a fluting like a water channel all the way to the back. Under the stone is a triangle metal support. It's direct cut-in the bottom of the stone. This exhibit is very abstract, I don’t really understand it, but based on discussions between classmate and the Noguchi’s life that narrate by our guide. I guess the metal support represents the industrial age, and the entire exhibit represents Noguchi lived in two different worlds, Japan and America where, and suffering by straddle on two different cultures. After the discussions of this exhibit, we had a small activity. The guide took two baskets out, there are some wood bricks, stones, branches, shells, tin foil, etc. The activity is each of us pick up something from baskets, and put them together. The interest is when we just simply placed them together, they become something different, something like arts, or something pretty. I remember someone place a branch next to shell. That makes me to have an image of a ship dock on the beach.

       In the next, the guide brought us to see is Tom Sachs artwork which is about Japanese tea ceremony. The first of his work we saw is a unique tree which is made by bathroom supplies such as cotton swabs, toothbrush, center of toilet paper. Then we visited his tiny tea house. In Tom Sachs’ exhibit area, I felt a strong sense of the tea ceremony that being represented. Not just because exhibits make me feel that, and also layout in this area. The tea house, pool, tree, pavilion, and stone, all these exhibits in an area create illusion that here is   a garden where we can enjoy tea. Last part, the guide brought us to visit is Noguchi’s stone sculpture. 

      Addition, there is a stone sculpture, I had been looking at it for ten minutes. Its name is To Intrude on Nature’s Way, and it is basalt. When I saw it without read its name and note, I was wondering why Noguchi cut a nature stone into three piece, then put it back. After reading Noguchi’s note. I was kind of understanding his motive. As a Japanese-American, Noguchi is artistic style is between Eastern and Western. In Japanese culture, art of stone in a garden should not deviate from nature, but he also an American artist so he doesn’t want to hide his marks. I think the contradiction of this sculpture may also represent himself as a Japanese-American.

       The experience in the Noguchi museum was great. Although there are too many abstract works, Noguchi’s sculptures are show different style between Eastern and Western, Nature and manmade.