Isamu Noguchi – Where Light & Craft Converge

In 1951, Isamu Noguchi visited the town of Gifu, Japan, long recognized for its lanterns and umbrellas crafted from mulberry-bark paper and bamboo. During this visit, he designed the first of the lamps that would be produced using Gifu’s traditional methods. He named these works Akari, a term that means “light” while also evoking the idea of weightlessness.

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Decades later, in 1985, Noguchi founded the Isamu Noguchi Museum as a permanent home for his life’s work and as a setting where visitors could experience his art exactly as he envisioned it. Dedicated to advancing the understanding of his artistic legacy, the museum is always seeking experiences that would resonate with Noguchi’s aesthetic vision.  So when they contacted us here at Taro’s Origami Studio we knew we were the perfect fit for their holiday party.

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Custom Origami Model

To begin with Senior Artist Frank Ling studied the work of Noguchi and presented the museum with these striking origami forms to teach the guests.  One was a bit easier for beginners and the other was a bit more complex and detailed, but both fit nicely with the overall Noguchi aesthetic and presented them in a fun approachable way.

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A Unique Holiday Party

Taro’s Origami Studio was honored to host a special holiday workshop for the Isamu Noguchi Museum in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The event took place at Uzuki, where guests gathered to celebrate for the holidays and learn to fold.

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The theme of the workshop was Noguchi’s Akari Light Sculptures, known for their soft glow, clean shapes, and simple beauty. The custom origami designs inspired by these well-known lamps and lanterns, helping guests make paper pieces with strong lines, clear geometry, and a warm, sculptural feel.

During the event, Taro’s Origami Studio instructor Frank Ling guided participants step-by-step. Many guests were new to origami, while others had folded before, but everyone who participated was able to create finished paper ornaments to take home.

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What We Learned

This workshop showed how origami can connect people, spark creativity, and bring Japanese design to life in a simple, accessible way. We were proud to partner with the museum to share an art form that reflects the same sense of balance and craft found in Noguchi’s work.

If you would like to host an origami workshop for your museum, company, school, or community group, Taro’s Origami Studio offers fully customized events. We design projects for all skill levels and can tailor themes to match your brand, logo, themes, or program.

Please contact our Head of Corporate Projects Ben Friesen at [email protected] or call 718-360-5435 at extension #2.