Monumental Noguchi Sculpture to Be Installed at the New Orleans Museum of Art

The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) will soon install a monumental sculpture by Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988), one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century, at its entrance. Titled Mississippi Fountain, the 41-ton granite piece was created between 1961 and 1962. It was originally commissioned to greet visitors at the headquarters of the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company in downtown Boston.

According to reports from Artforum, the work has been donated to the museum and will be placed outdoors, marking a new chapter for a piece long held in a private context. NOMA, founded in 1911, is Louisiana's leading art museum, with collections spanning from antiquity to contemporary art.

Noguchi, known for his abstract sculptures and organic designs, created Mississippi Fountain as part of a corporate commission, a common practice at the time. The title evokes the Mississippi River, which runs through Louisiana, thus linking the work to its new home. The fountain, with its eroded forms and raw surface, reflects the artist's interest in stone and natural forces.

This installation is part of NOMA's efforts to enhance its outdoor sculpture park, which already includes works by major artists. The arrival of this monumental piece is expected to draw visitors once it opens, though the unveiling date has yet to be announced. It also offers a chance to rediscover a lesser-known aspect of Noguchi's output, often associated with smaller works or his famous paper lanterns.

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Written by the ADM desk based on Artforum. Read the original article for the full story.