IDID20: Isamu Noguchi's playscapes

Both realised and as maquettes

Oct 10, 2024

If you follow White Sage, you’re probably familiar with artist and sculptor Isamu Noguchi [akari light sculpture lamp]. His career spanned over 6 decades so it’s hard to find a discipline he didn’t touch [a favourite, theatre set]. His designs of playgrounds both realised and as maquettes are the topic of this newsletter.

Isamu Noguchi tests Slide Mantra at Isamu Noguchi: What is Sculpture?, 1986 Venice Biennale. Photograph by Michio Noguchi. Courtesy of The Noguchi Museum Archives, 144398 (Copyright © INFGM / ARS - DACS)

“I am ever mindful of the notion that to discover or rediscover the true meaning of sculpture, the experience of sculpture has to be expanded.”

Expanding to urban design, Noguchi was interested in the social function of sculpture and how we discover the design of space. He would utilise earth modulations to construct a landscape that allowed freeform play.

Model for Contoured Playground, with original equipment attachments, 1941. Plaster and steel via The Noguchi Museum.

Photography: Nicholas Knight

via The Noguchi Museum.

via The Noguchi Museum.

Moerenuma Park

Just before his death, Noguchi pitched the idea to of a park that combines the green spaces of Sapporo across one looping green belt. The location encompasses a reclaimed garbage dump. The park serves as a compendium of the artists work with play.