There are many things to see and do in Manhattan, but off the beaten path there are so many more secret little finds that will make you feel like you are the only one who intimately knows New York. The Noguchi Museum is one of them. On Saturday September 26th museums around the country were free to the public with a voucher from Smithsonian Magazine. What an amazing way to open up the world of art, and we took this opportunity to visit a museum in our neighborhood (right across the street from the Socrates sculpture park in a previous post here). It’s all the way out near the water in what is known as Long Island City/ Astoria.

To be honest I had heard of the garden only from my strolls to the waterfront, and really had no idea what an incredible breadth of work this artist had supplied to individual commissions and personal pieces. I have a special spot in my heart for modern sculpture, especially that with a clean and simplistic aesthetic. I think Noguchi’s Japanese heritage combined with his American experiences were an amazing embodiment of that. I guess maybe I admire the hardness of rock and metal sculptures because they are the complete antithesis of what I do. I create soft, flowing, flexible pieces of art meant to be not only seen but worn. It is something completely different to create a monumental creation out of hard stone that in the case of the garden seemed to grow out of the ground.

As always one thing I look for in a museum, the cafe was right off the outdoor garden and allowed for an amazing view. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, but soon. Perfect for a peaceful weekend morning escape or afternoon date.

This is one of the pieces that just amazed me. Epoxy fused pieces of two different types of rock. Imagine fitting those together?
rock balanced against a thin sheet of metal. objects like people can surprise you by the weight they can support.

The best part about this museum is that it’s like the many museums that feature multiple genre’s/classifications like furniture, gardens and outdoor spaces, sculpture, drawings, monuments, and even theater sets, but the difference here is that they are all from one artist. I recommend watching the video documentary on his life that shows on the first floor to give you an overview and understanding of who he was and his vision/progress through his life and career.

Admission is usually $10 for adults and $5 for children, but if you plan your trip for the First Friday of the month (a lot of New York museums offer this deal) you can pay what you wish.