Description
Book Synopsis: Isamu Noguchi, born in Los Angeles as the illegitimate son of an American mother and a Japanese poet father, was one of the most prolific yet enigmatic figures in the history of twentieth-century American art. Throughout his life, Noguchi (1904-1988) grappled with the ambiguity of his identity as an artist caught up in two cultures. His personal struggles--as well as his many personal triumphs--are vividly chronicled in The Life of Isamu Noguchi, the first full-length biography of this remarkable artist. Published in connection with the centennial of the artist's birth, the book draws on Noguchi's letters, his reminiscences, and interviews with his friends and colleagues to cast new light on his youth, his creativity, and his relationships.
During his sixty-year career, there was hardly a genre that Noguchi failed to explore. He produced more than 2,500 works of sculpture, designed furniture, lamps, and stage sets, created dramatic public gardens all over the world, and pioneered the development of environmental art. After studying in Paris, where he befriended Alexander Calder and worked as an assistant to Constantin Brancusi, he became an ardent advocate for abstract sculpture.
Noguchi's private life was no less passionate than his artistic career. The book describes his romances with many women, among them the dancer Ruth Page, the painter Frida Kahlo, and the writer Anaïs Nin.
Despite his fame, Noguchi always felt himself an outsider. “With my double nationality and my double upbringing, where was my home?” he once wrote. “Where were my affections? Where my identity?” Never entirely comfortable in the New York art world, he inevitably returned to his father's homeland, where he had spent a troubled childhood. This prize-winning biography, first published in Japanese, traces Isamu Noguchi's lifelong journey across these artistic and cultural borders in search of his personal identity.
Details
Experience the fascinating journey of Isamu Noguchi, an artist who defied boundaries and reshaped the face of twentieth-century American art. Uncover the triumphs and struggles of this enigmatic figure in his quest for self-identity and artistic expression. Delve deep into his life through the pages of The Life of Isamu Noguchi: Journey without Borders, the first comprehensive biography of this remarkable artist.
Discover the multitude of creative avenues explored by Noguchi throughout his illustrious career spanning sixty years. With over 2,500 sculptural masterpieces to his name, groundbreaking furniture designs, mesmerizing stage sets, and innovative environmental art, Noguchi pushed the boundaries of artistic innovation across various media. His relentless pursuit of abstract sculpture after his time in Paris, where he studied under the tutelage of iconic artists like Alexander Calder and Constantin Brancusi, solidified his place in the pantheon of visionary artists.
But it wasn't just Noguchi's artistic accomplishments that captivated the world; his private life was just as captivating. Explore his passionate relationships with renowned women such as the mesmerizing dancer Ruth Page, the iconic painter Frida Kahlo, and the influential writer Anaïs Nin. Get an intimate glimpse into the personal victories and challenges that fueled his artistic fire.
For Noguchi, the question of identity loomed large. With a dual nationality and upbringing, he often found himself torn between cultures, yearning for a true sense of home. Join him on his emotional and geographical journey as he navigates the complexities of being an outsider in the New York art world and eventually finds solace in his father's homeland, where his troubled childhood unfolded.
Don't miss out on this award-winning biography, originally published in Japanese and now available for the first time in English. Immerse yourself in the pages of The Life of Isamu Noguchi: Journey without Borders, and gain a profound understanding of an artist who transcended boundaries to shape the course of American art. Grab your copy today and embark on a journey of inspiration and self-discovery.
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