Isamu Noguchi

Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988) was a multifaceted artist whose work stands as a bridge between East and West. He himself embodies with his story the fusion of two cultures: he is in fact the illegitimate son of the famous Japanese poet Yone Noguchi and of the American writer Léonie Gilmour, born in the USA but raised in Japan, active throughout his life in both countries. After his studies at the Vinci Art School in New York he moved to Paris, where he became Constantin Brancusi's assistant and remained imbued with the bohemian atmosphere that characterized the artistic circles of the French capital. His sculptures, monumental and with strong plastic values, found positions in important public spaces. He has made use of the rich heritage of Japanese art several times in his career, such as the Zen gardens designed for the UNESCO palace in Paris or the tradition of paper lanterns, revisited in a modernized version in the Akari lamp collection. His work as a designer has left an important mark on American design culture, through large-scale works designed for Herman Miller and Knoll and revived by Vitra. He was also an appreciated theatrical set designer.