The exhibition "The Sculptor and the Ashtray" from February 12,2020 -May 30, 2021, from the Noguchi Museum feature Noguchi's 1944 design of ashtrays. The concept was inspired by an unpublished article around 1944 by Mary Mix.
Noguchi designed two concepts of the ashtrays, both have different meanings behind it, the first design was intended to make it more art, sculpture feeling, so the tray has a complicated design and process to make. The second one was intended to be cheaply made and manufactured in a factory.
The second idea what Noguchi wants was to embrace the power of American’s large manufacturing power to create a large quantity of the ashtray he designed. The ashtray never manufactured and sold, due to the still too complex design and make for the standard of an ashtray on the market, the title makes a point to separate two words sculpture and Ashtray, two totally different words but strangely connected through Noguchi’s idea on making the Ashtray with unique and easy to clean design, what is he thinking at that moment, is what I have the question of. What’s the intention for him to design this complex Ashtray and expect people to buy it or make it?
I like how you finish your reviews, a question can let readers involuntary start thinking about the work. It is a really good way to guide the audience's thinking. And I think you can add some description of some of the ashtray. Cause when you describing that the ashtray have sculpture feeling and have complicated design and process to make. I really want to closely see these art work ashtrays. So it will be better if you describe them. Also you give audiences a question, I think you can give an answer of yourself that you may can let audiences get more thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI second Hanxiao's suggestion of providing a little more physical description of the two different ash trays you mentioned in the review. I wonder, what is the purpose of exhibiting a work made back in 1944 today? Especially when the product, ash trays, are essentially defunct since so many less people smoke now. I also really like the way you end with a question but I'd love to see your perspective or answer of that question. This is a really interesting piece you've chosen for your review and I think it raises a lot of compelling questions about consumerism over time.
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