the isamu noguchi garden museum

text and photo by OLIVIER ZAHM In a quiet corner of Long Island City, Queens, the American artist Isamu Noguchi, born to Japanese parents, purchased an industrial building in 1974, located just across from his studio. Over the next decade, he transformed it into a museum of his own design. In 1985, the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum opened to the public, becoming an artwork in its own right: every element of the museum — from its architecture and garden to the lighting of the exhibition rooms, outdoor fountain, benches, and planted trees — reflects Noguchi’s art. The space offers an intimate journey through his artistic universe, showcasing works from his studio in Mure, Japan, as well as his old studio next door. Visitors can discover the variety of his creations: monumental stone sculptures, furniture, architectural models, lighting designs, stage sets, and public sculptures for children. Every time I’m in New…