Skyviewing

by Isamu Noguchi

    Skyviewing was created in 1969 during the hype of the space race and the rapid advancement of technology. These created the momentum Isamu Noguchi needed to complete this piece. This sculpture can be interpreted as a way that it interprets the new ideology of total expansion and the feeling of being small in an infinite universe. His use of a circle entices the viewer to not feel constrained in any way by harsh geometric lines; instead it formulates a sense of infinity. This act of placing holes in sculptures is a practice that came out of the 1950’s which allowed the sculpture to have more dimensions and possible perspectives. While Noguchi was not part of any single art movement, he was one of the pioneers of modern art.

     As he refers to his traditional roots, Skyviewing takes the role as a medium between the two. The cut-out circles represent the sun. This relates to the iconic symbol of Japanese culture and metaphor it holds of creation. Isamu Noguchi’s original intent for his work was to fuse nature and functionality together. By doing so, he created an interactive sculpture that forced the audience to look up and see a cropped photo. This piece was inspired by his experience in a Japanese internment camp where he experienced firsthand the depth of his culture.

     It was erected in Bellingham, Washington and has since stayed there as an iconic statement in Western Washington’s Outdoor gallery.

    The photos above were taken by Gabriella Gonzalez-Yoxtheimer, a student in ART 109 fall 2017. This is an interpretation of Skyviewing as if it was moved to a different location. Noguchi’s intent was to combine minimalism with the complexity of nature, however the placement of this sculpture on Western Washington University’s campus doesn’t support the intention. Location is such a vital part of a sculpture. These photographs are an interpretation of Skyviewing placed in various locations in the Arboretum.

For Kaylen Barber’s part of the project, she took pictures of the sky through the hole in Skyviewing Sculpture that faces Haggard Hall. She decided to do this because she wanted to use the sculpture in the way she assume Isamu Noguchi intended for it to be used: to view the sky. She found that the way the sculpture looked around the sky—like a circular picture frame—was very beautiful and added to the natural beauty of the sky. As Noguchi’s work tended to revolve around how sculpture and art can be added to landscapes and nature to enhance its beauty, she felt that this was a fitting way to appreciate and experience Skyviewing Sculpture.

Adalyn Allen reproduced the sculpture Skyviewing in a small 2.5×2.5″ cardboard painted with acrylic.

This post was created by:

Gabriella Gonzalez-Yoxtheimer (admin)

Kaylen Barber

Adalyn Allen