Experiential Akari is a proposed installation for the semi indoor portion of the Noguchi Museum during the summer months.
Noguchi described his work with Akari as one of the most joyful chapters of his life, the goal of this installation is to spread that sense of joy to visitors. Experiential Akari is a pass-through structure with multiple entrances inspired by Noguchi’s work with Akari. Utilizing similar materiality and construction methods as well as fluctuating levels of light, Experiential Akari provides a change in contrast and proximity to the visitor experience while providing a new way to look at Akari. Experiential Akari would be installed in the summer months at the Noguchi museum, as this minimizes risk of the structure being damaged by weather, and takes advantage of the natural sunlight in the space. Overall, Experiential Akari gives new perspective to one of Noguchi’s favorite forms of working, and adds a light, close contrast to one of the darker, more cavernous areas of the garden.
Proposed Site Location
Project Render: Sketch rendered with Vizcom
Scale Model for Museum Display: tissue paper, armature wire, chip board, 3D printed figure. Model was created using a similar method as the creation of Akari lamps. the armature wire was bent around a chip board frame, with thin paper draped over the final shape.
Isamu Noguchi working on Akari in Japan, 1968. © The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum
