Isamu Noguchi is one of my favorite sculptors. He was born in Japan and moved to the US when he was 13 years old. I took this picture of his work "Miss Expanding Universe" at the Art Institute of Chicago back in 2008. It is made of cast aluminum and soars high in the gallery catching light from the giant skylights. Noguchi created this piece in 1932 after returning from a visit back to Japan. It has Japanese influences combined with the influences of streamline style which arose during the "Machine Age in America" when it seemed everything from airplanes to toasters were being designed in a wind tunnel. As we can see here in this stunning sculpture the fine arts were also influenced by this in material and design. If you are ever on Michigan Avenue in Chicago make a point to check it out.
