Isamu Noguchi, Akari mod. 30N ceiling light

Isamu Noguchi (1904 – 1988) was an artist, furniture designer, ceramicist, theatre designer and landscape architect. In 1951, he began designing Akari Light Sculptures – 100 of them – to reinvigorate the flailing craft of lantern making in Ozeki. Akari means ‘light’ in Japanese, suggesting luminous and weightless. Noguchi said of the series: “The harshness of electricity is… transformed through the magic of paper back to the light of our origin – the sun – so that its warmth may continue to fill our rooms at night.”

Akari lampshades were made by highly skilled craftspeople in the traditional way. A coiled wire frame is wrapped with hand cut paper glued to the frame. Each piece takes a considerable time to make.

The light has lots of age and is stamped with the sun and moon symbol and Noguchi signature. The condition is good but does show evidence of repair including some reenforcement to the corners and some repairs to small tears. A few small tears remain with some minor discolouration and staining. Although this is not first edition, our paper conservator was able to date it as 1970s. Re-wired and PAT tested for the UK.

H150 W27cm

H042E

This piece is currently on display at Paul Smith, Mayfair. All enquires to interiors@paulsmith.co.uk

Not available for hire.