The Art and Design of Isamu Noguchi – Interact to Connect
Christy Cheung
Chief editor and writer of Collect
The M+ Museum has recently installed the Playscape in its north roof garden, inviting visitors to use not only their eyes but also their bodies to understand and appreciate the works on display. Inspired by one of the most versatile and critically acclaimed artists and designers in the twentieth century, Isamu Noguchi, the interactive outdoor gallery features three sculpture installations – or what can be considered play equipment – by Noguchi. Dotted throughout the garden are various configurations of his signature work Octetra, a modular geometric structure created based on patterns found in nature; there is also a labyrinthine pyramid, extracted from a playground in Japan designed by Noguchi, standing stately on one side overlooking the Hong Kong skyline, which is then juxtaposed by a semi-sphere concrete mound that appears to have grown out of the ground. Like nature, these sculptures are open-ended yet deeply connected to the human body, created with modern aesthetics, freedom of interpretation and social function in mind.
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