Noguchi’s Poise

Art x Fashion Edit #19

A few weeks back, I went on a pilgrimage to the Isamu Noguchi museum in Queens, NY. I have always loved the calming simplicity of the works by the Japanese-American artist, concerned with the harmony between his pieces and nature, blending ancient and modern ideas.

His works, as much as his museum are all constructed in perfect harmony between curve and line. Not only concerned with the works themselves, Noguchi thought of his sculptures as interdependent systems in conversation with their environments. This principle is nowhere better expressed than in his sculpture garden. Inspired from a Japanese zen garden, his sculptures add to the sanctity of the place, without taking away from the welcoming atmosphere of his sensual sculptures.

Simple, but deceptively efficient, as expressed in Black Slide Mantra (c. 1966-1989), a monumental public sculpture in Sapporo, Japan. Attracted by the simple, perfectly balanced lines of the still work, I was impressed by its simultaneous sense of imperfect movement created by the spiral. What makes Noguchi’s work interesting is that he mastered the harmony of geometrical figures, while understanding the need for the edge that makes them alive, ensuring his art stays relevant beyond him lifetime.

It inspired me a simple but efficient outfit, polished with a twist: a linen suit spiced by crystal detailings on the bag. The only touch of color comes from the jade, a precious stone enshrined with powerful energies according to several East Asian cultures. In Japan, it symbolizes wealth and power. The round pendant echoes the curves of Noguchi’s sculpture here.