Synopses & Reviews
This intriguing book is an informal, close-up biography of the friendship between Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) and Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988). Author Shoji Sadao, who was friend and business partner to both, chronicles the respect, affection, and support they had for one another. Fuller's development of his Dymaxion Map and Car, and Geodesic geometry, are discussed in detail as is Noguchi's multifaceted career as sculptor, landscape architect, industrial designer, dance-set designer, and artist without borders who challenged the artificial opposition between the fine and applied arts. Sadao's role as partner to both gives him privileged access to details unavailable to others, resulting in a warm and intimate—and fully illustrated—narrative that documents an exceptional relationship.
Synopsis
Best of Friends: Isamu Noguchi and Buckminster Fuller looks closely at the vital friendship and collaboration between Buckminster Fuller, an icon of modern creative and scientific thought, and Isamu Noguchi, one of the of twentieth century's most acclaimed sculptors and designers. This profusely illustrated book includes images of models, sculptures, drawings, and documentary photographs revealing the two men's ongoing discourse and shared ideas, providing a window into the humanistic, utopian perspective that informed not only the work of Fuller and Noguchi but much of the art and architecture of the era in which they worked.
Architect Shoji Sadao collaborated with both Buckminster Fuller and Isamu Noguchi on many important projects throughout their careers, and served as executive director of the Isamu Noguchi Foundation, Inc., from 1991 to 2003.
Synopsis
-An illustrated biography recounting the friendship between Buckminster Fuller and Isamu Noguchi, two exceptional and important figures of 20th-century art and architecture Best of Friends is an informal, close-up biography of the friendship between Buckminster fuller (1895-1983) and Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988). Author Shoji Sadao, who was a friend and business partner to both, chronicles the deep and abiding respect, affection, and support they had for one other. Fuller's development of his dymaxion Map, Geodesic geometry, and the dymaxion Car are discussed in detail as are Noguchi's multi-faceted career as sculptor, landscape architect, industrial designer, and dance set designer, an artist without borders who challenged the artificial opposition between the fine and applied arts. Sadao's role as partner to both offered him privileged access to details unavailable to others. Influences on their work are noted, significant projects are described and illustrated, and pertinent quotes are cited, all contributing to a warm and intimate illustrated narrative that documents the exceptional relationship between these two great twentieth-century artists.
About the Author
Shoji Sadao is an architect who collaborated with both R. Buckminster Fuller and Isamu Noguchi. He was executive director of the Isamu Noguchi Foundation, Inc. from 1991 to 2003.