이사무 노구치의 작품에 관한 연구

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between Isamu Noguchi's (1904∼1988) works and Japan's traditional characteristics. This can be done by trying to analyze his ceramic sculpture made in Japan, in which when this modern sculptor was immersed in seeking for his identity. The analysis will include and be compared to the formative characteristics in typically environmental sculptures that brought motif from Japanese traditional garden. Noguchi pursued a way to the sculpture that has an abstract quality, as well as a social relationship while concentrating on nature and a human being. He aimed to create sculptural environment for human activities as the actual place that art and society are connected, by introducing sculpture to the daily life. Isamu Noguchi's perspective of modern art was disciplined in Paris Studio of the sculptor Constantin Brancusi (1876〜1957), and was lively-integrated space by combining with the experience on Japan's traditional garden. The forms (what is geometrical and what is organic, what is traditional and what is modern), which are diversely shown in Noguchi's works, are maintaining the dialectical tension between oppositive propensities (what is spiritual and what is scientific, what is ideal and what is practical). Its reason can be found in Noguchi's personal experience and his individual history. These are composed of opposite elements such as his childhood in Japan and his adolescence in America, and the et tic difference that he felt simultaneously between his American mother and Japanese father. Ceramic work became the medium he explores his identity. Through ceramic work in Japan, Noguchi tried to establish his identity by experiencing combination of nature and abstraction and by pursuing connection with Japan. In order to seek for cultural identity in Japan, Noguchi maintained his characteristic of modernism, while utilizing elements in Japan's traditional aesthetics. Noguchi's continuous effort for exploring identity was shown as the uniquely formative characteristic in his work, and brought about expansion in sphere of modern sculpture as a pioneer of new environmental art.