In 1951, after encountering traditional lanterns in Gifu, Isamu Noguchi began imagining Akari: luminous sculptures made from washi paper and slender bamboo ribs. Light passes through the material and becomes part of the work, rather than simply illuminating it. [1]
The Metropolitan Museum holds Akari E, a hanging lamp built from geometric forms. Its story includes an effort to revive local craftsmanship: an object can be a sculpture and still light up a room. [2]
Take this with youOur little exercise: look at a lamp switched off, then on. The design changes with the light. No gallery opening required.
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