Danh Vō Illuminates M+ Atrium with Isamu Noguchi Works

Danh Vō b. 1975, Vietnam Follow +

Artist Danh Vō has introduced light sculptures by Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988) to Found Space, the concrete atrium of the M+ located on basement level 2.

Taking inspiration from traditional Japanese lanterns made from mulberry bark paper and bamboo, Noguchi made over 100 light sculptures between 1951 and 1986, which he called Akari, meaning ‘light’ or ‘illumination’ in Japanese.

Noguchi’s works comprise the first presentation of a multi-year project titled Danh Vō In Situ.

Suhanya Raffel, Museum Director, M+, said, ‘by inviting Danh Vō to reimagine Found Space, one of our key architectural spaces, we aim to enrich the way our visitors interact with M+ to foster dialogue between artists, spaces, and audiences.’

Doryun Chong, Artistic Director and Chief Curator, M+, said ‘Danh Vō is an artist who takes on major ideas, histories, and spaces by interweaving symbolic objects with intimate personal narratives. His ability to make meaningful connections across cultures, places, and times makes him an ideal collaborator for this long-term project.’

Speaking about his process to Ocula in 2016, Vō said, ‘When I put things together and it becomes too direct, then I feel that it’s not right. It’s a constellation of things that still leaves openness and freedom. It’s allowing people the space to still insert themselves into the work.’ —[O]

Main image: Exhibition view: Danh Vō In Situ: Akari by Noguchi (26 October 2024–ongoing). © Danh Vo. Courtesy M+, Hong Kong. Photo: Lok Cheng.