Dezeen Magazine

Isamu Noguchi a "pioneer of social sculpture" says Barbican curator

Curator Florence Ostende discusses the recently opened exhibition focused on the work of Isamu Noguchi at London's Barbican Centre, in this video produced by Dezeen.

Named Noguchi, the exhibition brings together over 150 pieces designed b the Japanese American sculptor who was one of the most significant design influences of the 20th century.

It showcases his sculpture, lighting, furniture, set design and performance art under one roof.

Isamu Noguchi
Portrait of Isamu Noguchi. (Photo by Arnold Newman Properties/Getty Images)

The show follows Noguchi's career from the 1920s until his death in 1988.

Noguchi is most best-known for his Akari lamps. Although they are often seen as interior furnishing pieces today, Noguchi originally saw these works as sculptures with light.

In addition to the main exhibition, visitors can also view an installation in the Barbican Conservatory featuring numerous Akari lamps suspended between tropical greenery.

Isamu Noguchi Akari
Noguchi created a series of Akari lamps using traditional Japanese lantern techniques

The exhibition is a collaboration between the Barbican Centre in London, Museum Ludwig, Zentrum Paul Klee, and the Lille Métropole Musée d'art Moderne, d'art Contemporain et d'art Brut.

Noguchi is on at the Barbican Centre in London from 30 September 2021 until 9 January 2022. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.