AV_CTE_003C_1986_01

46m 39.0s

Comparisons between the art establishments in Japan and the United States - Noguchi’s relationship to the mainstream. Constantin Brancusi - master/student relationships - Auguste Rodin. Leaving Gutzon Borglum - studying medicine at Columbia University - living in New York - enrolling in night art classes at the Leonardo da Vinci School of Art. Meeting Dr. Hideo Noguchi – pushing into the artist’s path - mentorship by Onorio Ruotolo. Discussion of E.L Doctorow’s Ragtime - mysticism and spiritualism in the 1910’s. Influence of Constantin Brancusi on Noguchi’s early work - Noguchi’s autobiography A Sculptor’s World - American collectors of Brancusi’s work. Gardens for UNESCO (428) - reception in the French press - critics - landscape architects. American influences on Noguchi’s work - freedom and the establishment. Discussion of the paintings of Kenzo Okada - Christmas presents generating new ideas - Akari - Hans Knoll. Kenzo Okada’s popular success in America - working in a self-consciously Japanese style. Marcel Breuer and the financing of Gardens for UNESCO - going to Japanese government for funding - entry point into working with hard stone. Role of the unexpected - the artist as an instrument - 1986 Venice Biennale - Slide Mantra (605). Recalling studio in Italy in the 1960s. Discussion of articles in the Japanese press about Noguchi’s work in early career - 1931 trip to Japan. European influence on Noguchi. Preconceived notions of Japanese culture - traditional versus modern Japan. Skepticism about national characters - affection for individuals - World War II - Noguchi’s opinion of the war - Yone Noguchi’s nationalism - post-war Japan. Japanese food in New York - positive influence on American culture. Effect of American consumer culture on Japan. Noguchi as the quintessential American.

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