Noguchi - Shodo Shima Stone Study

Isamu Noguchi - Shodo Shima Stone Study, 1976
Minneapolis Walker Art Center

Shodo Shima Stone Study: half Japanese - half English name.

A Japanese garden shrinked to essence. Boulders bordered by a granite rectangle, broken in two halves. A sensation of force: objects suck the surrounding space. . Shodo Shima means Island, or it means Magical Garden, which is right: these rocks become magical objects. The magic of objects, making possible the irresistible absorption of space.

Contemplating the sculptures of Noguchi is the way to start understanding Minimalism.

And not only: the way to start to understand the relationship between artwork and ambient in contemporary art. Says Noguchi, I like to think of gardens as sculpturing of space: a beginning, and a grouping to another level of sculptural experience and use: a total sculpture space experience beyond individual sculptures.

(this PowerPoint presentation was authored by Nellwyn)


(Isamu Noguchi)