$42,480
USA, 1971 aluminum 6½ w x 6½ d x 31 h in (17 x 17 x 79 cm)
Designed as part of an ambitious urban renewal plan, the Detroit Civic Center Plaza grew out of a 2 million dollar gift from Anne Thompson Dodge for a grand fountain.
Noguchi was initially contacted to design the fountain, but his submitted design went on to encompass the entire 8-acre plaza as well as sculpture to mark the entrance. The resulting Pylon was constructed out of aluminum and stands 120 feet tall. Noguchi commented, "The design of the Pylon was my personal contribution. Its building moved the plaza into actual realization."Davidson Aluminum and Metal Corporation in Deer Park, New York was retained to construct the sculpture. Working directly with Noguchi, the illustrated maquette was made to determine that "the metal could take the twist that Noguchi envisioned." Davidson Corporation went on to fabricate the final sculpture. The maquette was given to Al Davidson upon the successful completion of the project in recognition of the firm's fine work.Literature: The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum, Noguchi, pp. 178-179 with commentary on the PlazaIsamu Noguchi: A Study of Space, Torres, pp. 174-183Isamu Noguchi, Hunter, pp. 164-165 more
result: $42,480
print
Auctioneer:
Wright Auctions
Date:
2003-12-07
