In 1949, Isamu Noguchi famously stated, “I am not a designer,” yet the internationally acclaimed artist frequently delved into the creative potentials of design. He imagined and created works spanning architecture, industrial design, ceramics, furniture, lighting, stage sets, and landscape design. This spring, The High Museum in Atlanta will unveil Noguchi’s first design retrospective in nearly twenty-five years, showcasing nearly two hundred objects, many of which have seldom or never been exhibited, encompassing all aspects of his creative endeavors.
Isamu Noguchi: “I am not a designer” aligns with the fiftieth anniversary of Playscapes, a bicentennial gift to the city of Atlanta, commissioned by The High Museum in collaboration with the City of Atlanta Parks Department. This playground is notable for being the only one of Noguchi’s designs built in the United States during his lifetime.
Among the exhibition’s highlights will be sculptural models of potential and unrealized projects, including the recently rediscovered plaster for Play Mountain (1933); tables and stools designed for renowned manufacturers such as Herman Miller and Knoll; and a house model that Noguchi crafted in partnership with architect Kazumi Adachi. Additionally, the exhibition will feature several large-scale installations, including the stage set for choreographer Martha Graham’s Seraphic Dialogue (1955), one of Noguchi’s innovative pieces of play equipment, and a commissioned film showcasing some of his site-specific plazas and gardens. This diverse, interactive presentation aims to highlight works that combine function and form, positioning Noguchi as a multinational and interdisciplinary artist and designer who contributed to a more open and inclusive world. Following its Atlanta debut, the exhibition will travel to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts (September 19, 2026 – January 3, 2027) and the Memorial Art Gallery at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York (spring 2027).
