Akari Light Sculptures (1951)The mayor of the Japanese town of Gifu asked the famed designer for help—his town’s traditional industry, making paper lanterns, was suffering due to tacky construction. Noguchi’s response was these glowing glowing pieces (the name means both brightness and lightness), that add a modern sensibility to traditional washi paper-and-bamboo construction. Photo courtesy of The Noguchi Museum, New York. Photo 5 of 9 in Design Icon: Isamu Noguchi by Patrick Sisson

Design Icon: Isamu Noguchi

5 of 9

Akari Light Sculptures (1951)The mayor of the Japanese town of Gifu asked the famed designer for help—his town’s traditional industry, making paper lanterns, was suffering due to tacky construction. Noguchi’s response was these glowing glowing pieces (the name means both brightness and lightness), that add a modern sensibility to traditional washi paper-and-bamboo construction. Photo courtesy of The Noguchi Museum, New York.