The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum Japan Tenji-kura 2024

A rice storehouse from the 1860s has been reborn as a gallery dedicated to showcasing Akari Light Sculpture. The entrance features a luminous wall inspired by the shoji doors designed by Isamu Noguchi. At its center, a 2-meter in diameter Akari employs optical controls on its upper and lower openings, casting rich shadows throughout the interior. Retracing many of Noguchi’s works we came across his written observation of the “humanistic magnetism of a candle’s flame,” and incorporated flickering, dimming effects into this design. Guests are immersed in a dynamic play of light shifting over time and experience the essence of Noguchi`s envisioned luminous washi paper, discovering a new world of light and shadow.

Photo Credit : Taiki Fukao (From Left 1, 3, 5), Namsun Lee (From Left 2,6), Yongbaek Lee (From Left 4)