AV_CTE_004E_1986_01

1h 3m 8.0s

Isamu Noguchi interviewed by Kazue Kobata. Part 7 of 13. [Discussion in Japanese]. Shared acquaintance between Noguchi and Kazue Kobata - Bernard (?). Proliferations of books on Japanese culture - fashion for Japanese art in international circles - Walker Art Center, Minneapolis - George Pompidou Center - French interest in establishing claim to avant-gardism - France’s view of Japan as poor imitation of French culture - Le Japon des Avant-Gardes exhibition - The Queen (81) - Bell Tower for Hiroshima (303) - Leda (38). Noguchi’s self identification as an American influenced by Japan, not a Japanese influenced by Europe. Similarity between Japanese, European, and American art historians - narrow-minded. Difficulties in defining Japanese aesthetics to non-Japanese people - tensions between traditional and modern aesthetics in Japan. Discussion of contemporary artists - Ryuichi Sakamoto - Nam June Paik - Hiroshi Teshigahara. Desire by Europeans to locate a minor current within Japanese avant-gardism - looking for the Japanese Joseph Beuys - Japanese modern dance - Butoh - Tatsumi Hijikata. Noguchi’s association with Martha Graham - Japanese dancers in Graham’s troupe - Frontier (139) - Cortege of Eagles (610) - Martha Graham Foundation, New York. Further discussion of Japanese modern art - On Kawara - contemporary art trends - Tadao Ando - Keiichi Tahara. Tokyo and New York - characters of the cities. Proposal to work with Philip Johnson on Manhattan building project - Kenzo Tange.

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