Amsterdam
Completed

Isamu Noguchi: Sculptural Art and Iconic Design Exhibition in the Rijksmuseum Gardens

Explore Isamu Noguchi's playful outdoor sculptures, innovative furniture, and Akari light designs within the Rijksmuseum.

Delve into the expansive world of Isamu Noguchi, a celebrated American-Japanese artist, through his innovative sculptures and design pieces. This special presentation at the Rijksmuseum Gardens showcases his unique approach to art, including his iconic Akari light sculptures and striking ceramics. Visitors can experience his globally-inspired works, ranging from abstract to realist, within a dynamic outdoor and indoor setting. Entry to the garden exhibition is free, offering accessible engagement with modern art and design.

About Isamu Noguchi in the Rijksmuseum Gardens at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Isamu Noguchi in the Rijksmuseum Gardens at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

Exhibition summary

This outdoor exhibition showcases the playful sculptures and design classics of 20th-century artist Isamu Noguchi in the Rijksmuseum gardens. Visitors can explore his innovative approach to sculpture, furniture, and design, with special displays of Akari light sculptures and ceramics.

Curatorial context

The Rijksmuseum presents 'Isamu Noguchi in the Rijksmuseum Gardens,' a free outdoor exhibition celebrating the work of the influential American-Japanese artist (1904-1988). Known for his innovative spirit that extended beyond sculpture to furniture, lamps, playground equipment, and complete gardens, Noguchi viewed all elements as part of a vast visual world. The exhibition highlights his aim to let sculptures speak to their space, often with a touch of humor. Inside the museum, visitors will discover thirty of his iconic Akari light sculptures, along with a selection of his innovative ceramics in the Asian Pavilion. A rare chess table designed by Noguchi for the 1944 exhibition 'The Imagery of Chess' is also on display in a Room from an Amsterdam Canal House. The exhibition emphasizes Noguchi's global outlook, reflecting his extensive travels and his use of diverse materials like steel, aluminum, bronze, granite, and wood, in works ranging from realist to abstract.

Admission and ticket notes

Entry to the Rijksmuseum gardens exhibition is free. To visit other parts of the museum, a ticket is required. Visitors are directed to a FAQ page for more practical information.

Isamu Noguchi in the Rijksmuseum Gardens key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Isamu Noguchi in the Rijksmuseum Gardens at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

Venue
Rijksmuseum
Current status
Completed
Exhibition schedule
May 28, 2025 – Oct 26, 2025
Artist line / attribution
Featuring the work of Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988), an American-Japanese artist considered one of the most important modernist sculptors of the 20th century.
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