Isamu Noguchi

Touring exhibition Barbican Center, London ; Museum Ludwig, Cologne ; Zentrum Paul Klee, Bern ; LaM, Lille, 30 September 2021 - 16 July 2023

Encompassing the entirety of Isamu Noguchi's (1904-1988) work in sculpture, ceramics, photography, architecture, design, as well as the artist's playscapes, gardens and stage sets for modern dance and theatre performance, this exhibition catalogue explores Noguchi's creative process and lesser-known aspects of his practice, his engagement with a wide range of mediums and cultures, and his innovative achievements over six decades.

Archival photographs of the artist's studios offer glimpses into his experimental attitude towards sculpture. Themes of harmony and dissonance, which were central to his practice, are explored in a series of essays that consider the artist's dual heritage, the Japanese American experience, his worldwide travel and his many influences. It also pays tribute to Noguchi's fruitful collaborations with creatives from a range of industries, such as R. Buckminster Fuller, Martha Graham and Louis Kahn.