Moerenuma Park as Noguchi's Utopian Universe-- the Park as Reflection of Ideal Sculptural Space of Isamu Noguchi

Abstract

Moerenuma Park (1988-2005) is the last public project that sculptor Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988) designed. He considered the park to be one single sculpture. The park reflects the idea of Noguchi's ideal society: a place where there is no sense of specificity to a certain country or community, but instead, a sense of universality. Throughout his artistic career, Noguchi aspired to construct a sculptural space for the benefit of general public. Such a utilitarian approach to sculpture led him to design Moerenuma Park for the benefit of a worldly society. As Noguchi generated the idea of such a sculptural space, he also developed his idea to form a universal place. There are many references to this universality within the park itself. This thesis examines the development of Noguchi's idea: to create utilitarian artwork that conveys universality, which Moerenuma Park expresses.