Noguchi: “the use derives from the art”

Born in Los Angeles to an American mother, he was the illegitimate son of a renowned Japanese poet who spurned him. Nevertheless, his mother took him to Japan where she scrapped by teaching English. It was only when he was in his twenties and in Paris (where he apprenticed to Brancusi) that he felt he first had friends.

SHOOT: Interesting concept, and good to see an interesting application of creativity. Expect this sort of thing to become increasingly functional, and less fanciful as practical limitations become a reality.

clipped from www.economist.com Some think he was an interior designer. And indeed his paper lanterns (still manufactured in Japan) and furniture (most famously a glass and wood low table) are both still in production (and available in the museum shop). Noguchi very much liked his work being useful, provided that “the use derives from the art” and not the other way around.